The Law of Christ (Gal 6:1-10)

Introduction

This Galatian letter is written by Paul around A.D 48. Paul writes this letter from his house church in Antioch. The gospel has spread into varies gentile regions and now there in Galatia. The purpose of Paul’s letter was to inform the Galatian church that they did not have to be circumcised or converted to judaism as the false teachers supposed. Paul wanted them to know that the law of the old covenant could not saved them and that the freedom they needed was found in Christ. However as followers of Christ there was a different kind of law that all must follow if they were to be effective saints. Paul gives them three laws to live by.

1. The law of sharing and caring

Gal 6:1-2 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

1. The name of the Law- Law of Christ

B. Paul describe what this law is that all believers should live by and that caring for others

C. If they trepass, restore them!

D. The word trepass means a violation or moral failure

E. We all have had moral failures in this life, no one of us can say we have never violated any of God’s laws

F. Most of us are in violation now for not caring for those who have fallen!

Rom 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Rom 5:20 “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,”

G. We must practice Grace! We are good at receiving Grace but poor at extending it to others

H. Paul says that if someone in overtaken in a trepass us that are spiritual should restore them

I. If we claim to be spiritual meaning we have His Holy Spirit in us we are to restore the FALLEN NOT REJECT THEM!

J. The word restore in the text means to correct but not without equipping

K. This means giving them the the tools or equipment needed to live a life that's pleases to God

L. Often time the failures of others came be blamed on lack of teaching or developmen. We can't blame people for fallin into pits we have not equipped them to overcome!

2 Tim 3:17 “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

M. We want people to DO GOOD WORK and they will if we RESTORE THEM AND NOT REJECT THEM!

N. The came only be accompl by the spirit of gentleness the restoration process be done in a kind, mild, and leniant manner.

O. Our gentleness is most effective when there is compensating strength

P. Why because you beause you have to be strong enough to resist what you're try to help them bear. Lest you also be tempted

Q. Bearing one another's burden this is the weight that is sometimes too hard to carry alone, some trials of life requires to help of a friend. To help ease or minimize our suffering

R. When we bear the burden of another we are fulfilling the Law of Christ this is the living by his principles and what He made customary by His example

Is 53:4-5 “Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

2. The nature of the Law

Gal 6:3-5 “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”

a. The very nature of the law of Christ is to cause us to self reflect For if any thinks he is something when he is not, he deceives himself

b. We shouldn't get in the habit of watching the lives of others so closely that we forget to take a look at ourselves

c. It is easy to think your something when you are self absorbed and always finding fault in someone else with no plans of bringing restoration to their lives!

D. Paul tell s us to examine our own work.

E. Examine- put it to the test, prove that its good

F. I know we have examined the works of others and we are good at making people prove themselves to us

G. But Have you examined your OWN WORK?

H. The word OWN means private or separate work, who you are when you are alone

I. It is there in our own work that we will find true fulfilmeant being able to rejoice in ourselves alone and not in another

J. For each one shall bear his own load we all have a cross to bear this load symbolizes discipleship!

conclusion

We as believers have to stop bashing one another for the faults we see. We must practice the principles of Christ and that is we must restore our fallen by equipping them to do the work of ministry. We must remember to be careful that we too don't fall into the same traps that have overtaken them. We must get in the habit of examining ourselve, not thinking that we are more than we are or better than anyone else. We all have a cross to bear and there will be times we will need help from others just to make it through the day. Let us pratice these principles of Christ given to us By the Apostle Paul so that we can fulfill this law of sharing and caring!