3 ways we live in the Spirit together
I. Restore the Trapped Sinner
Galatians 6:1 - 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.
A. Have concern for the spiritual well-being of others
“In Galatians 6:1, then, ‘those who are spiritual’ are identical with those Christians who walk in the Spirit, are led by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit.” (Timothy George, Galatians, The New American Commentary, 410)
B. The goal is gentle restoration
C. Know your own Spirit-dependence
II. Bear One Another’s Burdens
Galatians 6:2-3 - Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
A. Walk in the new law of Christ-likeness
B. Beware of self-deception
Psalm 36:1-2 - Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
“Self-conceit is fatal for burden bearing because it turns us into judges rather than burden bearers.” (Todd Wilson, Galatians, Preaching the Word, 208)
III. Examine Your Own Work
Galatians 6:4-5 - 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. For each one will bear his own load.
A. Comparison kills Spirit-filled community
B. Self-examination should result in humility
“Some consider Paul to be speaking in irony…In other words, no praise whatever shall be thine; because there is no man by whom the smallest portion of praise is really deserved…This is nothing more than an acknowledgment of Divine grace, which reflects no praise whatever on man, but excites him to give God the glory. Such a reason for glorying do the godly find in themselves; and they ascribe it, not to their own merits, but to the riches of the grace of God.” (John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians, 174-175)
C. Our dependence is on God and not others
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