Christians are called to freedom and we are to use this freedom to bear burdens. First and foremost, we must bear our own burdens; but we must also look for ways to bear one another’s burdens.
Christian Sympathy (Bear One Another’s Burdens)
Christians are called to bear one another’s burdens and in doing so fulfill the law of Christ (6:2). These burdens are not the same as mentioned later in Galatians 6:5. These burdens (v.2) are those that Christians can help one another with so that we can grow in maturity. These burdens are:
Wrongdoings. One way we bear one another’s burdens is by restoring them when they sin. Paul writes, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (6:1). Sin can harden our hearts (Heb 3:13), deaden our conscience (Rom 13:5), bring God’s discipline (Rom 3:12), and rob us of our joy and strength (Psalm 51). Herschel York wrote a book to pastors and said, “You need to teach your church that sin is always harmful, that the cruelest thing you can do is leave someone in sin, and the kindest thing you can do is to do everything possible to get them out of sin.” How do we do this? First, Paul said, “you who are spiritual”. Mature Christians are the ones best suited to restore a sinner. Jesus describes the process in Matthew 18. First go to them privately and tell them their fault. If they refuse to repent, bring two or three others. If they continue to refuse to repent, tell it to the church. If they refuse to listen to the church, remove them and treat them as an unbeliever. The key to restoration is repentance. Second, “in a spirit of gentleness”. Gentleness is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. It means not being easily provoked or irritable or getting easily angered. Third, “considering yourself lest you also be tempted”. This requires humility. (More on this later).
Weaknesses. Another way we bear one another’s burdens is by being patient with the weaknesses of our fellow Christians (Rom 15:1). Are they a Spiritual Infant? Is this someone who is either a new Christian or a Christian who is characterized mostly by what they do not know about the Christian faith. Those who are spiritual infants need a mature Christian(s) to share their life, share new truth, and share new habits with them to help them grow in spiritual maturity. They need to develop a hunger for the things of God and grow into spiritual maturity.
Are they a Spiritual Child? This spiritual stage includes immature Christians who are characterized by selfishness and self-satisfaction. People in this stage are the most likely to eat “Roasted Preacher” for Sunday lunch and the most likely to threaten to withhold their tithe or service or attendance when they get upset. Sadly, many Christians remain in this stage for a long time. It is important to note that spiritual children can have immense Bible knowledge, regular church attendance, and be actively serving in the church. The problem is that they do all these things for selfish reasons. They need to be reminded to be servants of others and connected to the big picture of the Great Commission. Mature Christians should be willing to help them mature.
Weights. A third way we bear one another’s burdens is to help one another identify and cast aside spiritual weights (Heb 12:1). What is a spiritual weight? This is something that may not necessarily be sinful, but it is not helpful. We are counseled in Scripture to live our lives in such a way that we intentionally purge things in our life that do not help us grow in Christian maturity. The imagery here is of a runner evaluating himself and removing things from himself that will hinder him in his race and keeping that which will help him. This requires prayerfully asking: Does it help or hinder your pursuit of holiness? If it helps, keep it. If it hinders, get rid of it. This is between you and God. Ask Him to evaluate and reveal to you things in your life that help and hinder your race.
Christian Responsibility (Bear Your Own Burdens)
Christians are called to bear the burdens of those around them, but they can only do that if they are first bearing their own burdens. How are the burdens/loads in verse 5 different from those in verse 2? Verse 5 refers to certain obligations for which we alone are responsible. For example, you are responsible for your own spiritual growth. If you are a husband, you are responsible for your own family. These burdens are not transferable. Yes, others can help but you must bear these. In verse 3, Paul challenges those who are reluctant to help one another, “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” We must examine our own works and bear our own burdens; so that we can help others grow in spiritual maturity.
Examine Your Own Work. Start by examining yourself in light of Scripture. Paul writes, “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Examine your conduct to determine the genuineness of your faith. Paul had just previously listed the fruit of the Spirit and Christians should regularly be prayerfully working through the 9 aspects. John MacArthur said, “Believers first must be sure their lives are right with God before giving spiritual help to others.” Jesus said it best, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt 7:5). This does not mean that you can never offer spiritual help to another person because you are not sinless, it means you shouldn’t be a hypocrite!
How do you examine yourself? Begin in prayer! Pray Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Confess your sins of commission (doing what is wrong/sin) and omission (failing to do what is right). Remember God’s promise, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Be humble. Recognize that you have your own struggles and are seeking help. The charge of hypocrisy dies in humility.Bear Your Own Load. Paul says in verse 5, “For each one shall bear his own load.” As we noted earlier, every Christian has certain obligations that we alone are responsible for. A wife is not responsible for her husband. She should pray for him. She should submit to him in love. She should strive to be a helper and encourager, but he has to answer to God for himself. We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Use your freedom in Christ to bear your own load.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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