1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1–5, ESV)

I'm sure you've been in the room when friends or family members start bickering in front of you. I'm sure, at least once, you've been the one bickering! So you know how awkward it can be. There you are, at the dinner party, just enjoying life, when—bam!—all the energy is sucked out of the room. You just want to crawl under the table, find your keys, and run for your life.

Since the Galatian church was flirting with legalism, they were in danger of becoming that kind of unattractive community. Legalism produces a competitive environment, one where pride and envy abound, so their church was on the cusp of becoming the awkward dinner party of New Testament churches. Paul has told us that only the Spirit can produce real transformation in us—we need to walk in the Spirit—but the Galatians were squeezing the him out of their environment. And because they were, true growth was not happening.

God has not called them to legalism, but the gospel—and a gospel community, according to Paul, is totally unlike the church legalism produces. It is a beautiful community, one full of grace and truth because Jesus, its leader, is the embodiment of both (John 1:14). And the people within it are helped and transformed.

In our passage today, we'll discover three elements found in a gospel community. Each element supports the others, so that when all three are found together, the church becomes an environment of true life change.

1. Restores Others (1)

The first thing a gospel community does is restore those caught in a stranglehold or pattern of dominating sin (those caught in any transgression, 1). Paul evoked the image of someone run down by a predator. It is a perfect analogy because it reminds us that we are being pursued. Our enemy walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). But not all that infrequently, we are overcome by the predator.

Quite often, when this occurs, friends in Christ know about it. And what are they to do? If they are part of a legalistic church community—the kind the Galatians were tempted to become—they might rush to expose it. If they are part of a liberal church community—meaning they take the Bible and the subject of sin very lightly—they might quickly dismiss it.

But neither of these is the right approach. Just as we would not openly broadcast a child's failures in front of their friends, we should not unnecessarily expose transgressions. And just as we would not ignore cancer, we should not dismiss transgressions. Paul tells us that a Spirit-led person does not take either of these routes but instead seeks to restore their wayward friend.

"Restoration never minimizes the damaging reality of sin, but while it takes sin seriously, it also believes in the power of restorative grace. It believes in God’s power to turn a heart and rebuild a life."[^1]

It is important to provide nuance to the Apostle Paul's exhortation to restore those who've become entrapped by sin. The Bible teaches that love will cover a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7). We are to be a forgiving people.

On balance, the Bible teaches that we should not become hyper-aware sin hunters, but when someone we know and love is "overtaken" (CSB) by a habitual, damaging, and enslaving pattern in their lives, mature believers respond with a Jesus-like rescue mission. They know that sin can sink in its hooks to the point it becomes difficult to break free, so they do what they can, as the Spirit's instruments, to set the captive free.

Paul knew this would take godliness, maturity, wisdom, and a sensitivity to God's Spirit, which is why he said that only those who are spiritual should attempt such acts of restoration (1). Don't be quick to dismiss yourself from the qualification. This isn't like saying only those who are around seven feet tall should play center in professional basketball—I guess that's not me! Paul's sentences right before this one are all about how we can walk in the Spirit, meaning any Christian can be spiritual—and should strive to be spiritual (see Gal. 5:16-26). But, because of all the skills needed to restore a wandering believer, Paul wanted to make sure only those walking in the Spirit attempted it.

To be spiritual means the restorer must be a person of prayer who is willing to go into the spiritual dimension to deal with someone's issues. Just as Moses prayed to God when the Israelites were wayward, this person must go to God on behalf of the person engulfed by sin. Praying will soften them and release God's power toward the person they want to help.

And being spiritual means they are alive and sensitive to the Spirit's guidance and encouragement. And, because enslaving transgressions cause a tangled web of chaos, they need to sense God's leading as a way to break through the confusion the other person has caused.

Another attribute Paul mentioned was a spirit of gentleness (1). This is a fitting word because it is all too easy to be overly frustrated by the decisions others make. And if they are entangled in sin because of their choices, gentleness can seem like the worst way to approach them. But "restoration must be approached with a humility and gentleness...yet with a firmness that confronts the ugly reality of the sin and its consequences."[^2]

Another attribute is that the restorer knows how to keep watch on themselves so that they aren't also tempted (1). They know what they are capable of and make sure not to fall into the same pit. They do not feel they are better than the person they are trying to restore. Like a soldier helping an injured comrade on the battlefield, cautiously alert for enemy fire, the restorer knows to proceed carefully lest the same traps work on him! When he helps someone break free of pornography or substance abuse or drunkenness, or sexual addiction, he is on guard. He knows he can't have a cavalier attitude about these toxins. Like someone with a sensitivity to poison oak is cautious while hiking through a forest, the restorer is hyper-aware of their own tendencies while restoring another.

But the main skill these spiritual and gentle people must have is the ability to actually restore them (1). The term Paul chose was often used for setting a dislocated bone back into place or mending fishing nets that had busted. So the restorer needs surgical precision to do the fine needlework of repairing someone else.

It takes tender nuance and care—knowing when to offer a strong word or, on the other hand, offer a soft place to land. It is hard and complicated work. You never know what you'll discover when you enter into someone else's mess, but when they are ready, you'll need a Spirit-led, gentle, and wise approach.

Many years ago, when our family dog was still a puppy, our girls were sad about their first long summer vacation away from him. They grieved that he would miss them too much while they were gone. Quickly, I came to the rescue by explaining to them that since he's a dog and the person we left him with would give him care, food, and shelter, he would be fine. Then I said, "In fact, he will probably have such a good time he'll forget all about us," which led them straight to a new set of fears about how their dog wouldn't even know who they were when we returned. Not Spirit-led. Not gentle. Not wise. And, if we aren't careful, this is the kind of hack spiritual help we will offer—not Spirit-led, gentle, or wise.

These aren't, of course, the only ingredients Paul thought necessary to restore someone back into the gospel community. There has to be an open door, an opportunity. The wayward believer has to—at least eventually—be repentant, want restoration, and demonstrate a change of behavior. Even in this paragraph, Paul said that each one of us will have to bear our own load (5). And the restorer often has to initiate one-on-one. If that is unsuccessful, they then have to try again with a trusted friend. And if that doesn't work, they sometimes have to bring in church leadership (Matthew 18:15-17). They often have to carefully explain sin, repentance, confession, and forgiveness. They have to wrestle in prayer. They have to provide a safe and supportive environment. They often have to offer accountability. They need to maintain confidentiality.

All this to say, it is hard work to restore someone whose been caught in a transgression! Like putting together a machine that has been dismantled, it takes tedious and slow precision. But it is good work. It is beautiful work. And it is Jesus-like work—he rescued and restored us!

2. Bears Burdens of Others (2-3)

The second thing a gospel community does is bear the burdens of others in the church. Restoration involves one person doing hard work to help another, but bearing one another's burdens is more reciprocal (2). Sometimes you carry a burden for someone else in the church; other times, they carry yours.

As I've already mentioned, Paul knows all of us "will have to bear (our) own load" and do our "own work" (4-5). Jesus gives each of us a load to bear, a calling, a life task—and we must bear that load. So what does Paul mean here when he tells us that it is good for us to bear one another's burdens?

When Paul said we must bear our own load, he used a word that meant our own pack, but when he said we should bear one another's burdens, he used a word describing a notably heavy load. Jesus said his yoke is easy, and his burden is light—that's our own load (Matt. 11:28-30). But Jesus also said the storms of life sometimes beat down upon us—those are our burdens (Matt. 7:24-27).

You might understand if you've ever gone on a long backcountry backpacking adventure. Everyone has to be fit and strong enough to carry their own pack filled with shelter, food, and water. Everyone has their load. But if someone in the group sprains their ankle or becomes ill during the trip, they now have a burden, and the others in the group need to help carry it.

So what are some burdens believers might suffer? What events and circumstances should others in Christ jump in to address?

Sicknesses or injuries can certainly be burdens. It is a huge challenge when we are temporarily weakened or permanently diagnosed. It takes us a while to adapt—if we ever can—and we need others in a unique way when we're in the throws of illness or pain. Meals or rides or encouraging notes or phone calls or visits or help around the house can all be useful during these burdens of the body.

Financial distress can also be a burden. The book of Proverbs, a book that highlights personal responsibility throughout, ends with a virtuous woman who "opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy" (Prov. 31:20). And when poverty comes suddenly into a fellow believer's life, it is good for us to do what we can—as we have opportunity—to alleviate their burden (Gal. 5:10).

Grief is another significant burden believers often encounter. Death is a shock, leading to a period where those grieving need the space and support to go through it. It requires sensitivity, of course, to help someone with this burden, but do not distance yourself during times while someone grieves. Reach out. Call them. If they want space, they can let you know, but the testimony of many is that they needed their believing friends while they grieved.

Some among us endure the burdens of leadership. I heard someone describe the pressure leaders endure as similar to the way pressure per square inch (PSI) increases the further down into the ocean a scuba diver swims. At the bottom of the ocean, the pressure is intense. And many leaders feel an increased pressure and—though they must trust God—what we see here is bearing the burdens of others is good. In one New Testament episode, even Paul the mighty Apostle was distressed because he had to confront the Corinthian church. And when Titus arrived with good news, Paul's burden was lessened (2 Cor. 7:5-7).

In our modern time, many of us will become burdened by being marginalized for our faith. Many work environments are fraught with danger for holding biblical views. For this, we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16). Still, there will be times our fears become actual burdens. When that happens, Jesus said we should rejoice and be glad because our heavenly reward is great (Matt. 5:11-12). Still, it is also certainly a blessing when brothers and sisters in Christ come to our aid while here on earth.

And sometimes, our burden is a weight of guilt. The Psalmist said, "For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me."(Ps. 38:4). And when our failures and shortcomings weigh down upon us, it is so, so good to hear the loving words of a believing friend, not dismissing sin or destroying us with it, but pointing us afresh to the cross, the place our burdens are finally lifted.

But many burdens overtake us. And Paul saw it as fulfilling the law of Christ, otherwise known as "the law of love," to mitigate the weight others bear (2, 5:14). When we carry the burdens of others, we are imitating our Lord, the one who carried our burdens when he took up his cross.

But none of this will happen without a measure of humility. And Paul knew that, which is why he said, "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (3). When we are conceited, though we might not ever say out loud that we are better than others, our self-deceived self-importance will keep us from bearing others' burdens. The truth is that we are all nothing without God's saving grace. Everyone needs Jesus, so no one is above anyone else. And when we realize this about ourselves, it helps us care for others.

I remember a conversation I had with a trusted friend at the end of last year. Though ministry and life was flourishing, I felt emotionally drained. As we talked, he compassionately lifted my burden by reminding me that in the previous year, I had spent lots of time doing ministry on the road, that my oldest daughter had gone away to college, and that my wife had started working more than before to help pay for it. He reminded me of those changes, helped me see that what I was feeling was normal, and then began to encourage me. But before he spoke to me, I couldn't see why I felt the way I did. His burden-bearing love helped me tap into God's love and find the restoration I needed.

3. Responsible for Ourselves (4-5)

So what does a gospel community do? It restores others (1). It bears another's burdens (2-3). Finally, it is filled with people who are responsible for themselves. Paul said, "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load" (4-5). As I mentioned earlier, our continual work or load is different than occasional burdens. Our work or load is the life Christ has individually assigned to each of us.

This whole paragraph from Paul is incredibly balanced. It helps us carve out a middle path between two extremes.[^2] Rather than forget all about our church family so that we fill up our lives with personal or family-oriented activities, God tells us to make room for burden-bearing and restoration (1-3). Rather than be so consumed with others that we forget to tend our own field, God tells us to test our own work and bear our own load (4-5).

To walk this middle (and biblical) path will require us to test our lives (4). Through self-examination, we can design a life we will be glad we lived (boast, 4).

Do you see what Paul has done? He has taken us through three phases of the gospel community. If this passage was a flow chart, one arrow would point from you to others, and it would only go one way because when we restore others, it's a one-sided affair. Another arrow would point to others but back to you because when we bear one another's burdens, we both help and receive help when needed. And the last arrow would point within, right back to you, because we are called to assess our own lives and bear our own portion.

And when we bear our own load we are a huge blessing to the gospel community (5). In a sense, a gospel community is like a kitchen shared with many roommates. It goes best when each person cleans up after themselves. There will, of course, be many times we need others to encourage or support us, but tackling the life Christ designed for individually designed for you, the rest of the community is blessed. When I sacrificially love my wife, raise my kids into adulthood, or walk with God each day, everyone else's load becomes a little lighter because I haven't created as many messes for others to clean up.

The gospel allows for all this because it creates a new humanity, a Jesus-centered community, and the church by saving individuals. So though we are birthed into God's family, we are individual sons and daughters who must "work out our own salvation" (Phil. 2:12). One day, we will stand before God. And if we have personally trusted Christ's work on the cross, we will find our names written in a big book with billions of others—individuals in the gospel community.

Conclusion

And all this burden-bearing and gentle restoration is only possible in a gospel church. Without the cross, we are fossilized into an environment and culture of legalistic human effort. This leads to an unwillingness to help others, along with an allergy to vulnerable transparency. Soon, the very community that should have loved and saved and healed and lifted burdens like Jesus did becomes a burden in itself. So we must keep our focus on Jesus and his wonderful cross so that we can be a blessing on others' journeys and be blessed on our own.

Many video games embrace the premise of the quest or the battle where players must navigate various obstacles and enemies to solve the puzzle, end the war, and win the game. I am partial to the original 1986 Nintendo Legend of Zelda. Your character is young Link, and he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda. He starts out with barely anything but amasses treasures, tools, and weapons from various characters who help him along the way.

Games like Zelda illustrate the challenge, difficulty, and quest of life as we know it. In other words, we can relate. The obstacles of life are nonstop. The temptations are real. The burdens are huge. And though we know we're called to our own work and our own load, it is refreshing to be part of a church where others help you stay on track. And when a church is rightly centered on the gospel, it has the tools it needs to help everyone on their quest. When we wander into sin, the gospel community reminds us that Jesus died for those sins on the cross. When we are overburdened, the gospel community carries them with us just as Christ bore our burdens on the cross. And we never really know when we will need to receive or give this help. So our best move is to personally press into the body of Christ, walk in the Spirit, and commit to a life fulfilling the law of Christ.

• [^1]: Tripp, Paul David. 2020. Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
• [^2]: Harmon, Matthew S. 2021. Galatians: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. Lexham Academic.