Am I My Brother's Keeper?--Gal. 6

Am I My Brother's Keeper?--Gal:6

Galatians 6:2 says that we should "carry each other's burdens. Galatians 6:5 says that "each one should carry his own load." So which is it?

This is a good example of the need to look at the context of a verse in order to clear up any confusion or supposed contradictions it might seem to present. For the truth is that when we ask, "Which is it? Are we left alone to shoulder our own burdens, or are we to bear each other's burdens?", the answer is: both. And this is said without any contradiction, for it all depends on the aspect of the situation to which one is referring. Notice also that verse five says that each one should carry his own burden. But sometimes the one who should does not, because of sin. The context of the whole passage is made clear in the opening verse of the passage:

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin . . ." (v. 1).

Not only is the context one of someone failing to shoulder his own responsibility because of sin, but the very first word implies a broader load of responsibility: "Brothers . . ." In other words, though we are called to shoulder our own responsibility, we do not live this life of faith in the Lord solely on our own. It is true that each must stand individually before the Lord to be judged, but it is equally true that God has instituted the church and called us also as a family, so that we bear one another's burdens; neither can be dispensed with. We are both individuals and individually members of God's family.

Therefore, when one person fails to shoulder his individual responsibility to live as he should before the Lord, then other believers in the family of God should help him carry his load by praying for him and gently (v. 1) restoring him to the right path:

"You who are spiritual should restore him gently" (v. 1).

But all the while, we who restore our wandering brother or sister must be careful not ourselves to fall into the same sin as well: "Watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (v. 1). Only then, after these preliminary cautions, do we come to verse two which tells us to carry each other's burdens.

While helping the other regain his pure walk with the Lord, he who would help him do so should examine his own walk with the Lord: "Each one should test his own actions" (v. 4).

If, after such examination, he finds nothing wrong in his own walk with the Lord, then the helper can take pride that God has enabled him to do that, protected him, without looking down on the one who slipped and fell: " . . . without comparing himself to somebody else" (v. 4).

For, in the end, no matter how much help one receives from others, we re each responsible for our own lives and the actions of those lives.

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat" (Rom. 14:10).

So, then, let us love our brothers and sisters in God's family and help anyone who needs help in carrying their burden. But let us also remember that each of us must stand alone before God for judgment. Therefore, let us help with fear and trembling as we work out our salvation in our lives (Phil. 2:12).