GCV Blog

Grace Church of the Valley blog.


Galatians 6:1-2 further confirms what I hope is becoming crystal clear for you through this little series on the "one another" passages of the New Testament. God's people are expected and commanded to genuinely and carefully care for each other within the context of the local church. Paul is addressing the need for actual family relationships even in the sphere of a still-sinful church. When sin is observed in the life of a believer, the local church family is commanded to respond. If we are faithful to this command in restoring sinning brothers and sisters, it will include some secondary considerations on our part. First, we must approach the restoration with caution due to the deceptive nature of sin. Second, and more important to our discussion, we must enter the process of restoration with a selfless commitment to helping our sinning family member with their burdens. The word Paul utilizes here presents a vivid picture of one believer throwing his shoulder up under the bundle that is carried on another's back. To start with confrontation of sin in the life of the believer is obedience (Matthew 18:15-20), but to end our care there is to fall short of obedience to the apostle's command for our load-bearing love (Galatians 6:2). There can be no neutral ground or gray areas in cases of clear commands. God has spoken, and therefore we joyfully bear one another's burdens!