Bear One Another's Burdens (AM)

Galatians 6:1-2

Introduction:

1.  This “one another” command stems from the battle between the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-23).

2. If we are Christ’s, we have crucified fleshly lusts (Galatians 5:24-26).

3.  Still, it is possible to become weighed down with sin again, so Paul commanded a community effort to lift those who so fall (Galatians 6:1-2).

Discussion:

I.  Overtaken by Trespasses

A.  Overtaken= “be taken unexpectedly, by surprise” (Mounce); “to take one by forestalling before he can flee” (Thayer)

B.  Satan works incrementally and with masterful disguise (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Timothy 2:16-18).

II.  Rescued and Restored

A.  When one falls back into carnality in this manner, the spiritual (cf. 5:16, 25) are called to work to restore them.

B.  Restore= “to mend or repair, make as one ought to be” (Thayer)

C.  In the spirit of gentleness is a reminder of the purpose of the effort (1 Timothy 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; James 5:19-20; Jude 22-23).

D.  We must see our own weaknesses as we do so (1 Corinthians 10:12).

III.  Bearing One Another’s Burdens

A.  The aim of this commandment is to facilitate recovery.

B.  Bear= “to lift, support, carry away” (Thayer)

C.  When we help one another carry life’s burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ (Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 15:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Conclusion:

1.  Obviously, the aim of Christianity is to remain in the freedom from sin obtained by Christ’s sacrifice (Galatians 5:1, 16-18, 24-25; Romans 8:2).

2.  Thankfully, if we should be ensnared again, the Lord has given us one another to lift those burdens and restore us to freedom.

3.  May we always stand ready to help lift one another’s burdens!  

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