When Others Fall
Galatians 6:1-5
Bear One Another's
Burdens
1 Brothers,if anyone is caught in
any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he
is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test
his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in
his neighbour. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
The Lord doesn't
want the members of His body to live in isolation; believers are intended to
function as a loving family who actively care for each other. One of our
responsibilities as part of God's household is to come alongside a brother or
sister who has stumbled. Paul specifies that those "who are
spiritual" are to restore the fallen ones to fellowship with the Father
and the family. "Spiritual" doesn't mean some elite group of pious
leaders; it refers to any Christians who are living under the Spirit's control.
A key element in this process is the attitude of the one who seeks to restore a
fellow Christian.
A Spirit of
Gentleness: This isn't a time for harshness, anger,
judgment, or condemnation. Our goal is not to heap pain and guilt upon a
hurting brother or sister but to show mercy and forgiveness (2 Cor. 2:5-8).
A Spirit of
Humility: Those who have a superior attitude look down on a
fallen brother and think, I would never make those mistakes. But
the humble know their own vulnerability. Instead of judging others, they
examine their own lives in order to recognize and deal with areas of weakness.
A Spirit of Love: When we love others, we'll willingly sharing their burden.
This requires an unselfish investment of our time, energy, and prayer on their
behalf.
How do you react
when a fellow Christian has stumbled? One of the ugliest human traits is our
tendency to feel better about ourselves when another person misses the mark.
Instead of sharing the latest gossip about a fallen brother or sister, let your
heart break, and come alongside to love and help.