Gal 6:2-5

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,

5 for each one should carry his own load.

Have you ever once felt that your brothers and sisters in church only cared about their own business and have no time to mind your business? 2 years ago, I mentioned to a brother that I think this is commonplace in a meritocratic society like Singapore which is fast-paced and individualistic. However, we are indeed taught in the Bible we should mind our own business. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12  it says – make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. In Galatians 6:5, it says for each one should carry his own load. So, let us learn to do our own work and take pride and be contented in it, not comparing ourself with another person who has his own work to do. One practical way is to have an organiser and tick off the tasks you have achieved which gives you a sense of satisfaction for that day.

However, we must not neglect Gal 6 verse 2 which says “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Does it sound enigmatic; why verse 5 says to carry your own load but verse 2 says to carry each other’s burdens? It does not. For in verse 2 it means “heavy burdens” – those that are more than one person to carry; while in verse 5 it means your “pack”. In verse 2, Paul refers to helping christians , sharing their load whenever temptations oppress or life depresses them. Love being the fulfillment of law that is stated as the new commandment (John 13:34). Therefore, we should burden ourselves with mutual sympathy as well.

Two things may hinder mutual sympathy

• Conceit; thinking yourself more highly and important than others (Gal 6:3; Romans 12:3) and thus refusing to bear another’s burdens. This is self-deception as measured by God’s standards, no one amounts to anything.
• Comparing your works with the works of others; positive sense (“I’m happy I’m doing better than they are”) and negative sense (“I’m unable to do anything; everyone else is much better”)

To end off, I would like to use an analogy to illustrate this lesson. As you all know, my extended family and I are going to Japan from tomorrow. My aunt will be bringing along her friend who has weak knees and this friend required the use of a wheelchair. To facilitate this, my aunt reduced her luggage to just a backpack instead of a pull-luggage and backpack which most of us will be bringing; she said this will enable her to take care of her friend in wheelchair. I have to praise my aunt for her love for her friend. During this trip, not only has she to carry her own load (backpack) but also to bear her friend’s burden (moving in wheelchair).

I thank God for the people, friends and family, who bore my burdens while i was in bondage of sins and depression. I will be adding this new thing I have learnt to my prayer list and year-end reflection. 

In the next post, I will write on Gal 6:1 for the cell group category. It’s about restoration of a person who has sinned. Personally, I was very hurt by how this was done in a previous christian gathering I have joined. What is the most appropriate way?

At the end of the year 08, reflect – Have I taken pride in carrying my own load and also bear the burdens of other people.