Bear and Share

Galatians 6:1-5 paints a beautiful picture of how the church should operate in accordance to helping one another. In verse 1 it calls those who are spiritually mature to help restore those who are struggling. Don't miss the point here that it mentions the spiritually mature, and later in the verse it says lest you also be tempted. A christian who is not spiritually mature will not be able to handle the situation appropriately and may actually stumble trying to help someone.

Being spiritually mature you are able to help a fellow christian in need and help them carry their burden through Jesus Christ. This does not mean you take full responsibility for their burdens and try to bear them along with yours. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself.

Galatians 6:5 states each one should bear his own load, the opposite of the earlier call to bear one another's burdens. The reason Paul ends the passage this way is to show that yes we are to help each other, but we are also not to burden one another. We all should have skin in the game and ownership in our walk with Christ.

A personal, individual sense of responsibility is what we want, each Christian judging himself daily and hourly as to his capabilities, obligations, and indebtedness to his Lord. (Spurgeon Commentary on Galatians)

Prayer: Ask God to strengthen you today so you can help others. Confess to God any burdens you have today that you need help with.