<Gal 5>

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

<Gal 6>

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 

1. Two wrong self-views.

• <Gal 6:4> Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.

2. Our view of others and relationship with them.

1) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ <v2>.

• The law of Christ is summarised by LOVE.
• <Gal 5:14> For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Love  restore sinners gently.
• But “watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” :
  • Careful not to become self-righteous.
  • Careful not fall into the sin in question.

• <Mt 18> 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along…17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church…
  • <1 Pe 4:8> Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• Doing what we should     VS        Doing what makes us happy.
• To bear burdens, need fellowship.

2) Each one should carry their own load <v5>.

• A limit to how much burdens we can help others carry.
• Each person must profess personal faith in Christ to be saved.
• Each of us are answerable to God for our deeds and choices.
• “Own load”, don’t envy others’ loads.
• What unique load can you take up for God and His kingdom today?

3. The principle of sowing and reaping.

• What we do has consequences.

6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

• Support those who teach us God’s word.
• Not only receive, but also learn to give.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

• Sow to please the Spirit:
  • <Jn 6> 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
• Sow for things that can last eternally, instead of things of the world which will pass away.
• What are we sowing today? E.g. online?
  

4. Do not become weary in doing good.

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

1) Why do we feel weary?

• “Good work” is indeed hard.
  • When see other Christians idling in doing good.
  • Lack of appreciation by others.
  • Laboured but did not see any fruit.

2) God promised a harvest in due season.

• Even something small will reap reward.
• “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” <Mt 10:42>
• <Mt 25> 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
• Not our “preferred or anticipated” time, but God’s “proper” time <v9>.
• Don’t be weary of doing good whenever we can and to whomever we can, especially to fellow Christians.