How do we “keep in step with the Spirit” and bear fruit? The first few verses of Galatians 6 begin to apply what it means to patiently love others and to be self-controlled in our own lives.
A look at the text (Read Galatians 6:1-6)
Paul is describing someone here, not so much caught out in their sin (although this is a possible interpretation) as caught by sin, surprised or overtaken by it.[1] This is not about intentional rebellion by someone who is truly in opposition to Christ but rather what the Old Testament refers to as “sins of wandering”, it’s the person caught of guard by a temptation they are vulnerable to. When this happens, other Christians have a responsibility to watch out for and help by warning, challenging and rebuking those falling into temptation. The other Christians are described as “those who are spiritual”. This isn’t about a distinct class of “more spiritual” believers but distinguishes those who belong to the Spirit from those who belong to “The Flesh” (v1).[2] This is what it means to “bear one another’s burdens. We look out for each other and help one another in the daily struggle to live a godly life. If we carry the fruit of the Spirit, then the way in which we seek to restore others will not be through harsh rebuke or legalism but with gentleness and humilty(v2).[3]
Paul sees this as important because of the danger of pride and false confidence. It’s possible to consider yourself to be someone who you are not. It’s possible to think that you are mature, spiritual, filled with the Holy Spirt but the evidence will be there in our lives that we both are learning to say no to temptation ourselves and also helping others to (v3).
We have one-another responsibility, to watch out for each other but first of all, we are to keep a watch on our own lives. Christians are to be accountable and this begins with self-examination. If we make claims about how well we are doing as believers that turn out not to be true then we are guilty of false boasting. However, there is a legitimate claim to boast but this must be based on a true assessment of one’s own heart and works, not by comparison to others. (v4-5).
This right balance of sharing burdens and personal responsibility concludes with a reminder that we share together, challenges and blessings. Those that benefit from the spiritual care of others should seek to bless those who care for them (v6).
Digging Deeper
Paul’s encouragement to the whole church to look out for each other doesn’t preclude personal responsibility. However, we may be surprised to see the use of the word “boasting” here. We associate boasting with pride. Paul seems to take the word initially more neutrally. A boast based on the truth is not arrogant or puffed up. So, a Christian who can legitimately testify to how they are growing in Christ and putting their sinful desires to death may legitimately boast. Of course, even as we begin to look at growth and sanctification, we recognise that we are always boasting on the basis of someone else, we never accomplish sanctification on our own, it is always the Holy Spirit’s work and so our true boast is in Christ.
A look at ourselves
We have both a corporate responsibility, sometimes referred to as body ministry and individual responsibility. How do we make this happen? First, it starts with personal self-examination and confession. It is helpful to set aside time each day to reflect and pray. Second it means looking out for one another. Our aim is not to compare ourselves to others but to seek their welfare and encourage them in their walk with Christ. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong in a friend’s life, we should be taking time to check in on each other. This means asking a brother or sister how they are doing, particularly in terms of those areas where we know they struggle.
Remember that the purpose is to restore, not to condemn (myself or others). This is not about trying harder to follow the rules, or using accountability and the fear of being caught out as a stick to beat others and ourselves with. The solution to temptation is to encourage a greater reliance on the Holy Spirit.
[1] C.f. Moo, Galatians, 374.
[2] See Moo, Galatians, 374.
[3] C.f. Stott, Galatians, 162.
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