Galatians 6:1, 2 - BURDEN BEARING.
Galatians 6:1, 2 (NLT) Dear brothers and
sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin,
you who are godly should gently and humbly help
that person back onto the right path. And be
careful not to fall into the same temptation
yourself. Share each others burdens, and in this
way obey the law of Christ.
INTRODUCTION
No Christian should ever think that he or
she is totally independent and doesn't need help
from others, and no one should feel excused from
the task of helping others. The body of Christ -
the church - functions only when the members
work together for the common good. Do you know
someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother
or sister who needs correction or
encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person
offering to lift his or her load (John 13:34, 35).
[Life Application SB]
ILLUSTRATION PEARL
Recently, a friend of mine experienced an
unexpected, life-changing setback. In an instant, her
world was flipped upside-down. As she struggled
with loss, her family and I helped in small ways,
such as walking the dog, visiting her, or simply
sitting with her in silence. Jesus worked inside her
and mended her heart, just as promised in Psalm
147:3.
Soon, she and I ran some errands
together. Last week, we sat together on my porch
rocking chairs chatting while the world passed by.
Birds chirped as my cats watched through slitted
eyes, too lazy to leave their patches of sunlight.
Yesterday we shopped for silly things - bed pillows,
the perfect pretzel - and stopped for coffee at
what's become our favorite place for heart-to-heart
talks. When I reflect on the path she and I have
walked these past few months, I'm grateful and a
bit surprised. In the past, though friendly, we
rarely spent time together. Now, our friendship has
gained value, deepening into a relationship of
mutual trust and support. Her tears appear less
often and have been replaced by smiles, proof of
slow but steady healing. I'm blessed to share in
a measure of hope as I witness the return of
her strong spirit.
Jesus has softened her pain and muted her
anguish. Family and friends keep her moving forward,
one step at a time. On days when the road ahead
looks too hard for her to walk alone, we come
alongside and hold her up, following where He leads.
We are His, and it's our honor and privilege to
share the weight of her burden, to live out His
perfect law in love. Heidi Gaul
Faith Step: Consider friends whose burden
you can help carry. Can you run an errand, or
spend time together in quiet conversation? Pray
for - and with - them. [Mornings With Jesus 2021
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
When a Fellow Christian Stumbles
The Lord doesn't want the members of His
body to live in isolation; believers are intended
to function as a loving family who actively
care for each other. One of our responsibilities
as part of God's household is to come alongside
a brother or sister who has stumbled. Paul
specifies that those "who are spiritual" are to
restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the
Father and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean
some elite group of pious leaders; it refers to
any Christians who are living under the Spirit's
control. A key element in this process is the
attitude of the one who seeks to restore a fellow
Christian.
A Spirit of Gentleness: This isn't a time
for harshness, anger, judgment, or condemnation.
Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a
hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and
forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).
A Spirit of Humility: Those who have a
superior attitude look down on a fallen brother and
think, I would never make those mistakes. But the
humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of
judging others, they examine their own lives in
order to recognize and deal with areas of
weakness.
A Spirit of Love: When we love others,
we'll willingly sharing their burden. This
requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy,
and prayer on their behalf.
How do you react when a fellow Christian
has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is
our tendency to feel better about ourselves when
another person misses the mark. Instead of sharing
the latest gossip about a fallen brother or
sister, let your heart break, and come alongside to
love and help. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org re Gal. 6:1-5]
CLOSING THOUGHT
You must be good before you can do good.
You cannot exert an influence that will
transform others until your own heart has been humbled
and refined and made tender by the grace of
Christ. When this change has been wrought in you, it
will be as natural for you to live to bless
others as it is for the rosebush to yield its
fragrant bloom or the vine its purple clusters.
If Christ is in you the hope of
glory, you will have no disposition to watch
others, to expose their errors. Instead of seeking
to accuse and condemn, it will be your object
to help, to bless, and to save. MB128
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Galatians 6:2 - Sharing Our Burdens.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210520-0945.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
