2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (Galatians 6:2-6)
Today, we continue with the Apostle Paul's description of the spiritual man in Galatians 6. The Galatians desired to be spiritual, yet like most Christians, they made spirituality about themselves.
You will remember that in the previous passage, Paul warned the Galatians about conceit and envy. This is the danger of spiritual success, the flesh is always beckoning for attention and glory for itself. And, as a result, we can begin to believe that we are special and we do not need God to produce spirituality.
So, the Apostle, in this last chapter of Galatians, gives us this fourfold description of what the spiritual man looks like. Having considered the first already, today, we are considering the second of these four.
The second characteristic of the spiritual man is: he helps the needy.
Paul has an interesting combination of two phrases in today's text. In v.2, Paul writes “carry each other’s burdens,” and then in v.5, “each one should carry his own load.” Sounds like two opposite commands, but Paul is revealing an incredible principle of life: the best time to help another is when we are in need ourselves.
In v.2, the Apostle writes, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The law of Christ is the summation of all that He has given us: love people and love people.
In v.4, the Apostle brings up the concept of comparison. When we compare ourselves to another, we do ourselves a grave danger, because comparison is perhaps the greatest robber of Joy in our lives.
In addition, comparison is one of the greatest expressions of the lack of faith. Don't measure your value in comparing yourself or your story with others. Trust God for the story that He has/is given/giving you with Him. The key is to fixed on Him and what He is doing in your life. When we compare, we lose sight of Him.
In v.6, Paul explains that people within the family should share financially with those who teach the Scriptures. This is a transitional point which Paul uses to direct our attention to the third characteristic of the spiritual man (in v.7-11). We will consider this third one tomorrow.
"If we love God most, we will love people best."
John Piper
The Corinthian church was known for it's shallow faith. Perhaps they were shallow because they trusted more in money than they did the Lord. And, perhaps, Paul is saying in 2 Corinthians 11:7-9 that he should have been more of a burden to them financially, so that they would be freed of their idol: money. Our spirituality is primarily wrapped up in what we do with knowing God and making Him known.
