Bear One Another’s Burdens 

Galatians 6:1-3

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

You Who Live By the Spirit…

It is important to note who Paul is addressing in this chapter. The previous chapter ended with Paul teaching us how to keep in step with the Spirit. In Galatians 5:19-21 He clearly laid out what it looks like to walk according to the flesh which would be sin, 

Galatians 5:19-21 

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul is not speaking to those who live according to the flesh and therefore reap from the flesh the fruit noted above. He is speaking to those who are sewing to their Spirit, have experienced the freedom mentioned in Galatians 5:1 “For Freedom Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This yoke could be sin or religious observances void of the power of God. 

We who live by the Spirit are not only set free for our sake but to help others with their journey to freedom. We who are free, have a mandate, a responsibility, a calling to help those who are not free yet. We need to remember the place which Christ snatched us from our muck and mire. We need to remember the place from which we had fallen and the mercy and grace extended to us by the Lord and others to help us get to a place of freedom. Let compassion rule in our hearts to move us to action. Let us not become comfortable and apathetic in our freedom! 

Those Caught In Sin… 

Note here that Paul refers to those who are “caught” in their sin. My fleshly, natural response is less compassionate and gentle towards those who are “caught” in their sin as opposed to those who confess. That is not the way of Christ. Here, we are instructed to be gentle and be active in restoring those who have been caught in their sin. This is important. Christ stood before the woman “caught” in the act of adultery and chose not to condemn her. John 8:4 …“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery” We have no account of her repentance or asking for forgiveness, yet Jesus freely gave it and opened the door to her restoration. He was gentle and loving and didn’t condemn her. 

John 8:10-11

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

We can see here the perfect example of how Jesus responds to those “caught in sin”. This is not something we can do on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be gentle, loving, compassionate and operate in the spirit of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Watch, lest You also be tempted….

This warning is serious and an unfortunate reality in our Christian communities. People, in the spirit of restoration will put themselves in compromising situations where they themselves are tempted and fall into sin. The weak in faith and those who have been recently set free should be aware of the snares and traps of the enemy. 

1. Always have accountability- Don’t do things alone. 
2. Get Counsel from a seasoned believer and ask for support. 
3. Don’t put yourself in a place of temptation thinking you are stronger than you are. Assume you are not and be extra vigilant to not open any doors to previous addictions, lifestyles or sinful habits. 
4. When you see someone who is caught in sin and they need someone to reach out to them and restore them, Do it! But ask the Lord who is the right person to support you or even step in to walk with them through the process. 
5. We cannot rescue someone on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit, shepherding (Pastoring), community, group counseling and prayer to truly help this person to freedom. 
6. Help this person you are reaching out to to get into a Church that allows the Holy Spirit to move and for freedom to place. Invite this person to a recovery group, support group, or even a visit with a Pastor to receive prayer, deliverance and encouragement. They need to know they are not alone! 

Carry Each Other’s Burdens 

Having others to helps us in our time of weakness is one of the greatest benefits of being planted and faithful in the Christian Community that the Lord has called us to. Many times, we come to the Lord only when we are in a bind. When life is good, we can easily slip into a self-focused, self-sustaining, isolated lifestyle. We can believe the lie of the enemy that keeps us away from community. When life gets tough or the weight of our sin and the consequences of our sin are crushing to the point of giving up you may find yourself looking for others to help you carry your burden. It is in this time of crisis we realize our need for the Lord and need the help of others to walk with us to freedom. Don’t believe the lie of isolation! 

A Call to Action! 

If you are in a season of isolation, feeling shame because of your sin, feeling hopeless, hear the heart of Jesus today! There is a place God has for you to be transparent, seen, loved, forgiven, restored and yes FREE! This is not an easy road or everyone would be on it! It is not a feel-good road or everyone would choose it. It is humbling, YES! It takes work to say NO! to the Devil and his lies! It takes courage to face people when you know you are in sin! But the Lord’s love is drawing you, His love will save you, forgive you, and restore you. 

To those who are in freedom and walking according to the Spirit, respond to the prompting of the Spirit today! Reach out to someone who you know is struggling with sin, doubt, lies, or unbelief. Call someone today who you know needs to hear that God loves them. Let the gentleness of the ministry of reconciliation that you received flow from your life today to someone else who needs it!