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Sermon Introduction

Paul instructed the Galatian believers to walk by the Spirit and give no opportunity to the flesh. He warned that those who practice the deeds of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God. He further explained that those who belong to Christ had crucified the flesh and its lust. Paul cited examples of the fruit of the Spirit, which included love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit leads the believers to manifest the fruit of the Spirit. The apostle would then instruct them to bear one another’s burden while having the right spiritual attitude.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Galatians 6:1-5 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

Notes

Paul instructed the Galatian believers to walk by the Spirit and give no opportunity to the flesh. He warned that those who practice the deeds of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God. He further explained that those who belong to Christ had crucified the flesh and its lust. Paul cited examples of the fruit of the Spirit, which included love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit leads the believers to manifest the fruit of the Spirit. The apostle would then instruct them to bear one another’s burden while having the right spiritual attitude.

1. Restoration

   Paul instructed the believers who are spiritual to restore fellow believers caught in sin. In other words, bear each other’s burden. Moreover, it should be done in a spirit of meekness lest the one correcting also fall into transgression (6:1-2).
   
   1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
   
   

2. Self-deception

   Paul warns those with inflated egos related to their spirituality. Some call this spiritual pride, which is a form of self-deception. Therefore, those who think they are spiritual should correct others with meekness (6:3).
   
   3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
   
   

3. Test

   The apostle instructed them to practice self-examination to put spiritual egotism in check. And if they believe they are doing well spiritually, they may celebrate in themselves but never compare with another (6:4-5).
   
   4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
   
   
   

Application

1. Restore each other

   We must restore transgressing brothers and sisters, which means correcting them. It should be done truthfully in the spirit of gentleness because we might fall into the same transgression.
   
   

2. Right perspective

   Each of us should beware of inflated egos related to spirituality. We are all sinners justified by faith made possible by the Spirit. Thus, we should never see ourselves as spiritual giants or somebody spiritually better than others.
   

3. Examine your heart

   Let us review the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Then let us examine how we think, feel, speak, and act. If we seem to be doing well, let us rejoice but never condemn the brother we need to correct.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What does it mean to “bear one another’s burdens?”

2. In what way does a person practice self-deception?

3. Did Paul contradict himself when he said that each must carry their load?

   Explain.