Restore... bear... do good to all people.

Galatians 6 (NASB) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. ⁵ For each one will bear his own load.

⁶ The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. ⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. ¹⁰ So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

There are several important principles which Paul writes about in this brief text. First he says: “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”  This is a principle that is to be applied within the church, among believers. We are to seek to restore those who have fallen in any trespass. It is not that the church should tolerate or wink at sin, but for those who have fallen and are repentant we should seek to restore them not disqualify them. Jesus says: "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.…(Matthew 7:1-2) This often misquoted verse does not say that we should not judge sin. It says rather that we will be judged in the same way, by the same measure, that we judge.  Paul says restore those who have fallen so that you too will not be tempted.  In case there is any question, Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:21-22 how often we should apply this principle of grace, forgiveness and restoration.

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

The next principle Paul writes of actually seems to be contradictory even within the text. He says: ² Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ…⁵ For each one will bear his own load. We are to bear one another’s burdens, yet each one must bear his own load. We need to understand then what the difference is between a burden and a load. Each person’s load is basically their life circumstance. It includes the things that they have been born into, the things they have experienced and the results of their previous actions and decisions. Though it is difficult to see those we love suffering the consequences of their own actions or decisions, those are their load to bear. We cannot take that on for or from them. Even for one who suffers from an illness or handicap, they must bear that load. We cannot take it on for them. As God said to Paul He says to each of us: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."(2 Corinthians 12:9) As difficult as it can be to see and understand why some people seem to have more difficulties and afflictions we need to trust God and understand that He has a plan for them. we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:28-29) While God has not caused all the difficulties in people’s lives, He will cause those things to work for their good. Sometimes the hardest thing we need to do is to allow God to work in the lives of those we love.

We are though, to bear the burdens of others. These burdens include the temporary difficulties and extra things that may need to be done. For example, we cannot change the circumstance of a single mother, she will have to walk through the difficult times involved in being a single parent. Whether it was caused by her own decisions or actions or whether the result of something else, that is her load. We can though come along side her and help her with some of the things that can easily overwhelm a single parent, watching the children while she shops, helping with a meal or simply providing fellowship. We also can bear the burdens of others in prayer and intercession. Here to it is important that we recognize the limitation of our ability or call to bear that burden. We can learn from the account of Simon of Cyrene, who was enlisted to carry the cross of Christ in Matthew 27:32-35

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross. ³³ And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, ³⁴ they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. ³⁵ And when they had crucified Him….

Even Jesus, God in flesh, because He had been so severely beaten beyond the limits of His human body, needed help to carry the cross. But just as when they came to Golgotha, Jesus alone could finish the work of the cross, Simon had to lay it down there, when we bear the burdens of others in prayer and intercession, we need to bear them only to the place of the cross of Christ. There at the cross we must lay them down. Only He can complete the work of the cross, the work of redemption, restoration and reconciliation in their lives.

If your own load seems too difficult to bear on your own don’t expect others to bear it for you. Jesus says: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) 

Paul’s final instruction or exhortation in today’s text is:   Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit help me today to seek to have Your heart of restoration toward those who have fallen. Help me to have both a heart of compassion to bear the burdens of others and the wisdom and discernment to know the limits of what I can or should do. Help me not to interfere with what You want to do in the lives of others. Empower and enable me today and each day to do good to all people.  Amen.