Becoming Better at Being Brethren

Text

Galatians 6:1–5 NASB95

1 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.

Paul leaves the explanation of the fruit of the Spirit which is the antithesis to the flesh and its deeds. He moves smoothly into a very practical and real life explanation of what this should look like for the Galatian brethren and by implication, what it might look like to us.

It’s not good enough to simply know what is right but I need to do what is right - “Love not only in word, but in deed and in truth” 1 Jn 3:18.

Doctrine must be turned into deeds

Attitudes must be reflected in actions

Mindset must matricualte to ministry

What I know, must eventually get to what I do

This is where we are in ch. 6

For the Galatians, they need to become better at being brethren.

We must face the fact that we don’t always act in a way consistent with the Spirit and with our Lord. God through His endless grace and mercy that is new every morning, gives us another chance to demonstrate a heart that has been impacted by His teaching and His Spirit. This is a heart that is ready to take the opportunity to show God, I have changed.

It is chance to become better, God is still working on us, we are a work in progress, and while I am not where I need to be, I’m thankful I’m not where I used to be. He is still working on me.

For the Galatians and for us, this work must be applied to ensuring the relationship we have as brethren is better. We need to become better at being brethren.

What’s at stake if we don’t?

Paul says you will forfeit your inheritance (Gal 5:21)

Paul says you will devour each other (Gal 5:15)

Paul says you will reap corruption (Gal 6:8)

The benefit we have of a body functioning healthily is a body that can do more, and do, more effectively. It is a body that glorifies God.

How can we become better at being brethren?

#1 Restore the one who sins

Galatians 6:1 “1 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.”

If one is caught - the idea behind this word is that whatever has caught them, drew them in and is in fellowship with them. That’s the extent to which we should be concerned. Concerned enough to earnstly desire to see them restored

Fact 1 - Christians sin - 1 John 1:8–9 “8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This means that if someone sins we should not behave like all is lost, it’s not.

This means you should not act like you are above sin.

This means the one caught must be willing to acknowledge thier trespass, you can be cured of what you can’t confront - even to God (you deceive yourself)

This still means that sin is still a big deal (Gal 5:21)

Fact 2 - Restoration is always a possibility (even in the worst of circumstances) - 2 Timothy 2:24–26 “24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” - The Spirit will engage the heart that desires to change, if we maintain a fruit-laden approach to the situation.

How do we ensure a fruit-laden approach?

#1 Have the right people

“You who are spiritual” - This refers to those who are led by, live by, walk by, and have fruit of the Spirit. One is even mentioned in the text “in a spirit of gentleness” - When those caught in a trespass (any one of the deeds mentioned ealier) and they are met with people led by the flesh it makes restoration impossible.

#2 Have the right purpose

“restore such a one in a spirit of meekness” - the aim of restoration is not just to be bcak in fellowship (in the building), it is to be back in right standing with God. It is not just about saving their seat but saving their soul. The word means to “put back together again”.

#3 Have the right perspective

“considering yourself lest you be tempted” - this embodies something Jesus taught Matthew 7:3–5 “3 “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? 4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 “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.” Don’t go after the speck, without first going after the log. Notice Jesus compares the person’s problem as a speck, but yours as a LOG.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” - Yes sin must be exposed, But it’s exposure is conditioned by the fruit of the Spirit. This means it is free of jealosuy, strife, competition, retribution, vengeance and tempered with the Spirit. For the Galatians, Paul is emphasizing community restoration that is guided by those led by the Spirit - why? sowing in the Spirit leads to life!

It is easy to compare yourself with others, especially when they fall.

Especially, when it’s something you never struggled with.

Especially when you’re blind to your own struggles.

You will always find a reason to remain right where you are if you only compare with others

Where is the glory in this? Where is the gain in this? Community must be preserved, but not when leading with the flesh.

Why not compare yourself to Jesus and see how you really look? Eph 4:13. Why not look into the perfect law of liberty?

It is a sure sign of immaturity, and being flesh-driven when your are always predisposed to highlight the sin of others while turning a blind eye to your own. Jesus says to you, “take the log out of your own eye” FIRST!

The way Paul says to avoid such a carnal (immature) disposition is to consider myself.

# 2 Bear one another’s burdens

To “bear” means to pick it up and carry it.

To this Paul says, if you do this you will “fulfill the law of Christ”

This law of Christ is the law of love

We first saw this in Jesus’s teaching when He was asked what is the greatest commandment in the law?

Matthew 22:37 “37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”

Matthew 22:39 “39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

How do we know that this is waht Paul had in mind in Gal:6:2?

CONTEXT!

Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

Galatians 5:13–14 “13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

So the “bearing of one another’s burdens” is serving each other through love, which is an application of “loving your neighbour as yourself” - that’s the Law of Christ! = the law of Love.

As Jesus left His disciples, listen to what He told them, John 15:12–13 “12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

Question: Am I fulfilling the Law of Christ?

The “load” [baros] here is the heaviness of what is being carried by someone. This is when the weight of the load being carried for a distance begins to bring you down

When it is heavy sometimes individuals make the load heavier, sometimes we make it heavier, by not being spiritual. By leading with the flesh and not with the Spirit.

Four things to grab:

Burdens are real

Self-sufficiency is a myth

Mutuality is a must

Fulfilling the Law of Christ is the result (adapted from: Geroge, Timothy p. 415)

The church of Jesus Christ, is a body. It’s not a club, or charitable organization. We are supernaturally woven together by the Spirit, built on a foundation that is Jesus Christ. We live to fulfill the will of the one who calls us into this body. That involves serving one another.

Application

Minister to each other - Galatians 5:13 “13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

I don’t know what this looks like for the situation you are confronted with - but don’t compete, don’t have contempt, don’t castigate - SERVE! Serve in Love.

Examine yourself - Galatians 6:4 “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.”

Focus on what God has to do in you (your logs) -

You can be come more critical and more compassionate, more helpful - Matthew 7:2 “2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”

Being overly critical without a drive to “look to yourself” can lead to what Paul describes in Gal 5:26, jealousy and competition.

Pray for each other - James 5:16 “16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

It lightens the burden (1 Pet 5:7) because it is in prayer you “cast” your cares on God

It points to God (Ps 46:1-2)

It unites us. It reminds us that we are not alone. We might feel lonely in the moment but we are not alone (Ps 23:4)