Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 6 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks that 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, but to himself alone, and not 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 person sows, this he will also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹ Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. ¹⁰ So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

¹¹ See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! ¹² All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

The text says: Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.  In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus says: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!”  We are not to judge others for their sin, lest we too be tempted and judged by our own standard of measure. Instead, we are to seek to restore them, having first removed the log of judgement from our own eyes. Whether the person is a believer or not, the restoration we seek and they need is to God, through Christ.

The text says: Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. For each one will bear his own load. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 says: the one who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.  If we will examine our own work, even if we do great things, we will find that we are nothing and can do nothing without Christ. In John 14:12-14 Jesus says: “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” Any boasting we do should be about Him, the one who does the works. The text says: Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean that we bear one another’s burdens, but each one will bear his own load? We can come along side of others when they are burdened. We can help them physically and pray for them. In the end though, we cannot take the weight of their load from them or for them. There is only one who can and on the cross, Jesus said: “It is finished!” (John 19:30) We can learn from Simon of Cyrene about carrying the burdens of others. Luke 23:26; says: When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus… Now two others, who were criminals, were also being led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.  Simon bore the burden of the weight of the cross for a short time, but only Jesus could bear the load of the purpose of the cross. When we carry the burdens of others, we should carry them to the place of Calvary. There we should lay them down. Jesus, through the finished work of the cross has already born the load for them. Only He can restore what is in need of restoration.

Charles Billingsley - In the room. - YouTube

Amen.