Dave's Diary

Galatians 6 and Psalm 137

The opening section of Galatians 6 illustrates just how important it is not to read a verse or two in isolation. If we were to do so with this chapter we’d be thoroughly confused by the combination we find here:

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

⁵ … each one should carry their own load.

But, in context, these two statements make perfect sense and are not at all contradictory. In the first statement, “burdens” refers to a brother or sister’s struggle with a season of temptation or a season of recovering from a fall into sin. Here we are not to write each other off judgmentally, but to gently help one another bear the burden of temptation or recovery. We are to stand with one another and support one another in the struggle to overcome. This kind of support is an act of Christlike love.

By contrast, the “load” of verse 5 refers to the weight of responsibility. Each believer is accountable for our own faithfulness to the call of the Lord. And here we are not responsible to test the faithfulness of others but only our own. As v.4 says, “Each one should test their own actions.” No one else is going to be give an account on our behalf to the Lord. We will all be accountable for ourselves. So in this case, not assessing others, but only being honest about ourselves is the act of Christlike love required of us.

So, whether it is another’s burden or our own load, the Christlike approach is to seek the highest best of the other – in other words, to love.

Life Application: Perhaps your “load” today is to help another person carry their “burden”. Keep your eyes open for those in need of your selfless support and encouragement, and give it to them with love.