Working On My Load

Galatians 6:3-5 (TNIV)

³If any of you think you are something when you are nothing, you deceive yourselves. ⁴Each of you should test your own actions. Then you can take pride in yourself, without comparing yourself to somebody else, ⁵for each of you should carry your own load.

Observation:

            Paul is greatly concerned that the believers in Galatia be formed properly in Christ. Those who would have them revert to the old covenant of the law are putting a great deal of pressure on them to be circumcised. This pressure has caused them to rethink their position in Christ. They have begun to conform to this idea and have adopted the law as a way to be Christian. In so doing there is a temptation to boast in the fact that they have become a Jew in the flesh, and in so doing they have a sense of superiority over believers who have not.

            Paul may be speaking to this kind of the boasting in the flesh. It may be that some in Galatia are looking down on other believers as less spiritual, because they have done something greater than the others. There is a great risk to look at others and judge that I am better off spiritually. When a believer judges himself or herself higher than a believer judges others, they will inevitably begin pointing out the weaknesses of others.

            In vs. 3-5, Paul tells the Galatian believers to focus on their own actions or works. In essence, God is not judging you by your brother or sister in Christ. He is looking at what you have done with what he as given you. In this instance Paul is saying do not heap an extra burden on your sister or brother in Christ. Carry your own load! Earlier in the passage, he tells us to help with others burdens, but here he is telling them not to add to that burden.

Application:

           

            We all face a great problem in our humanness. The problem is that the longer we do something the more we believe we do it best. We judge others based on our experience. There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting around a bunch of men or women telling stories of their experiences in life. It does not really matter what the topic is, the story of one person will be outdone by the story of the next. Ultimately, the only story that is remembered is the one told by the best storyteller.

            One-upping in a story is not always a bad thing. Sometimes there is great laughter and joy in the grandiose story. Sometimes it brings people closer together, and builds a sense of community. However, if the same person is always doing the one-upping, it can get old. When it comes to the spiritual nature of our fellowship, out doing someone is never welcome. In this sense, one-upping becomes a bitter form of judgment. Judging in such a manner causes the one who judges to become bitter toward others. They see everyone else (or most others) as less spiritual than they are. They begin grousing about the lack of faith, and spiritual development of others.

            This is a trick of the devil! He desires that we play god. We become the authority in the life of the other. There is a difference in gentle concern and care, then pointing the finger and elevating oneself as spiritual monitoring officer. When we begin to focus so heavily on others we cease to look into our own life; after all there are a lot of others to judge, who has time for ones self.

            In the community of believers, we need to first look upon our own life. We need to praise God for the work he has done, and recognize the work he is continuing to do. In most cases (if not all) we will see there is still work to be done right here at home. We become less focused on others being where we are; rather, we will find that we are much more compassionate toward those who might be struggling, because we too struggle.
            This is what Love is. It is not trying to get everybody to measure up to our standard of life in Christ. It is loving God enough to want to bring pleasure to him through our obedience. It is expressed in our deep love to others through support and care. If we ever catch ourselves judging someone spirituality, we should stop, drop, and pray (well at least we should stop and pray - not for the other, but for ones self first, then if you can see clearly the other).

Prayer:

            Jesus, you are my Savior! John tells me that you only judged as the Father judged. You also told me not to judge. It is often hard to understand just what all that means. I am prone to be critical. I tend to evaluate myself by the performance of others. I realize that this is not an accurate appraisal of my walk with you. Forgive me for not forgiving the trespasses of others. Forgive me for living a comparison Christianity. Jesus, give eyes that see the truth of our relationship. Help me to see me as you see me. Help me Lord, to help with the burden of others, and not to add to their load. - Amen