"Carrying One Another's Burden"
Texts: Galatians 5:25-6:3
Background of the text: Paul had been writing about life in the Spirit and comparing it with life in the sinful nature. The two lives are dramatically opposite to one another, Paul urged the Galatian Christians to "keep in step with the Spirit" and in Galatians 5:22 urged us to manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Some Christians get the wrong idea, that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you enter into a mythical world of dreams and visions, and enjoying a spiritual language and making prophecies after prophecies.
But here in Galatians 5:25, Paul is saying: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
a) not being self-conceited
b) not provoking
c) envying one another
d) being very humble and not judgemental
Enter into a harmonious and loving relationship with one another by "bearing / carrying one another's burden and these fulfilling the Law of Christ.
What is Law of Christ?
1. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit
2. If you love Jesus and wants to obey His command (John 14:15)
3. If you want to fulfill the Law of Christ (bear / carry one another's burden)
- There are two kinds of burden
a) the physical, mental, emotional burden
b) the spiritual burden
The Physical, Mental, Emotional Burden
The excuses people give:
1) I'm not that close to them - (response: get close to all)
2) I don't know what to do? - (response: find something to do)
3) They're no longer in Kuantan - (response: write, email, call, pray)
Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).
a) the Priest passed by
b) the Levite passed by
c) a Samaritan with a good heart and an attitude of carrying the burden of the victim, stopped, bent down, dirtied himself, bound up wounded man.
-Paul in Galatians 5:14 - whoever loved his neighbour has fulfilled the Law of Christ.
What does James 2:15-17 say? Read James 2:8, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 18:28, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7.
The Spiritual Burden
Someone must bear the burden to restore them in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1).
a) Who must do it?
Not solely the work of the Pastor (not only those who are spiritual, mature Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit)
- 2 reasons:
1) you must be clean yourself
2) you need to do it in a gentle spirit - to restore, not to destroy
b) How should it be done?
In a spirit of gentleness, humbly, not with arrogance, pride. (Read Matthew 18:15-17)
Conclusion:
a) A Place: people can find love, acceptance
b) A People: who practices, loving neighbour - carrying
c) A Practice: cell-group concept, outside the cell
If you have experienced such love, then show to other (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
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