Galatians 6:1-5

Galatians 6:1-5
"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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load."

Recap: Fruits of the Flesh vs. Fruits of the Spirit

Last week, we examined the fruits of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit, comparing the effects of the Holy Spirit in a person's life with the effects of legalism. The main idea of Galatians is how to combat legalism—how to prevent becoming a legalist and share with others how not to be one.

Our definition of legalism, developed through Galatians, is outward devotion to Christ lacking inward devotion. It is the attempt to do Christianity without the Holy Spirit—participating in Christianity, living as a Christian, without the Spirit's power. We've seen it displayed in efforts to be right with God through our own works and strength.

It's not a pendulum swing to "let go and let God," passively waiting for animation each morning. The evidence of faith, the Holy Spirit's work, is demonstrated by the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.

Why Avoid Legalism: It Leads to Privatized Christianity

Tonight, Paul shows more reasons to avoid legalism. Legalism leads to a privatized version of Christianity—a lone wolf mentality that denies community and "one another" commands.

Jesus exposed this in the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 23). They cleaned the outside of the cup but left the inside filthy. They prayed loudly in streets, boasted of fasting and tithing—outward devotion—yet Jesus said they were full of sin inside. Sin reigned in their private lives.

Paul demonstrates how this mentality denies community. In these verses, he shows why legalism's privatized Christianity should be avoided.

Restoring the Overtaken Brother (v. 1)

Verse 1: "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."

Legalism takes us off track because the legalist doesn't want exposure—they maintain a facade of righteousness, everything hunky-dory. But Christianity includes restoration.

"Overtaken" means caught in a trespass or confessing one—sin known to others. The legalist resists: exposure dismantles the public mask. Pharisees hated Jesus because He exposed their sin (John 7:7).

Some hesitate from bad experiences—confession leading to condemnation. But the criteria is "you who are spiritual"—not the average person or moralist. Spiritual means demonstrating fruits of the Spirit, especially gentleness (meekness: strength under control).

The spiritual person restores in gentleness—not information-dumping, bashing, or screaming. Restoration puts something back to proper function. Sin hinders a believer's function: glorifying God. Restoration returns them to that, away from constant sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall."

The spiritual restorer must consider themselves, lest they be tempted. Charles Spurgeon said never be satisfied with your repentance this side of heaven. The greater risk is for those who think they stand. Never think you've arrived, impervious to temptation.

The lone wolf Christian—"just me and the Lord"—misses restoration from sin. Christians should have a radical attitude toward sin, as Jesus said: if your eye causes sin, pluck it out (Matthew 5). Here's a tool: brothers and sisters helping you away from sin.

The rogue Christian signals they don't want sin exposed—they want freedom to sin. True repentance, godly sorrow, desires permanent freedom from sin (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Bearing One Another's Burdens (v. 2)

Verse 2: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Here, burdens are sins. This requires real fellowship—knowing each other deeply to see fruits of the Spirit and trust for restoration. Meet-and-greets aren't enough; constant community is needed.

Is there someone you're helping bear their sin burden? Pursue this benefit.

The law of Christ? Jesus clarifies the Old Testament law in the Sermon on the Mount—not abandoning it, but internalizing it.

Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28 (paraphrased)
"You have heard it said, 'Do not commit murder'... But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother... shall be in danger of the judgment."
"You have heard it said... 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Legalists avoid external acts but harbor internal sin—hate is murder, lust is adultery. The law of Christ summarizes the entire law: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength; love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:14).

Bearing burdens fulfills this—lovingly exposing and correcting sin.

Common reaction: "Don't judge!" (Matthew 7, misquoted). Context: remove the log from your eye, then help with the speck. It's beneficial to have others examine and remove what's in your eye.

Love confronts sin gently, with Scripture—not hatred or bigotry, but truth from God's Word.

The Deception of Pride (vv. 3-5)

Verse 3: "For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

Pride deceives the lone wolf Christian, operating in their own strength, missing community. Love helps sanctification for God's glory—not tolerance of sin.

Psalm 32:3-5 (paraphrased)
"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away... I confessed my sin to You... And You forgave the guilt of my sin."

Some sins require community help. Self-deception minimizes sin ("small s"), or boasts "I'll conquer it." You can't trust yourself against sin—community exposes deception.

Verse 4: "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."

Pride compares: "At least I'm not as bad as so-and-so." Or deflects: "Yeah, but you're sinful too!" Focus on your own work, not others.

Verse 5: "For each one shall bear his own load."

Seems contradictory to v. 2, but context: the prideful lone wolf bears their own load, missing help. Pride is grace's enemy—grace gives what we don't deserve (salvation, not wrath); pride claims we earn favor.

Legalism's road: bearing your own sin burden—impossible, leading to failure.

Conclusion: Pursue Community for the Gospel's Sake

We emphasize community not for numbers, but because Scripture says it's vital. We act on exposed sin for restoration, to dismantle it. Leadership expects to share burdens—spot blind spots, aid sanctification.

Counseling guidelines aim for Christ-glorifying solutions, not killjoy. Plurality of elders and deacons bears burdens mutually.

This fulfills the law of Christ—love. The gospel works through community, not lone wolf Christianity. First-century church met daily, house to house (Acts 2:46).

This week, pursue more community: home fellowships, hangouts. It applies the gospel, benefits your life.