GALATIANS (37): Fulfilling the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-6).
In Galatians 5:13-24, Paul revealed how the Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfil God's Law of Love, and in v25 he applies this to our life together in the Church, saying: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk (march together) in the Spirit." This requires us to not be focused on ourselves, always comparing ourselves and competing with each other, but rather through humility of heart we can enjoy healthy, harmonious relationships (v26). In this way, we should see and support one other as members of the same team, all working together for Christ, and all playing our own special part, like soldiers in an army.
In Galatians 6:1-6, Paul develops this military idea by giving a number of specific applications. (1) If a soldier is injured, the others do not gloat over him, but rush to his aid to restore him (v1). (2) If a soldier has an unbearable load, then others will help him to carry it (v2). Likewise, when people are in crisis we should be there for them. (3) If a soldier thinks himself too important to help his fellow soldiers, he is a useless solder (v3). Likewise, if we in pride and have no love, then we are nothing (1Corinthians 13:2). (4) Each soldier must focus on accomplishing the task his commander has assigned to him, and get his satisfaction from that, rather than focusing on other people's business, and gloating over their failures (v4).(5) Each soldier must carry his own load (backpack). Likewise, we must all fulfil our responsibilities, for one day we will have to give an account to the Lord (v5). (6) Each Christian soldier plays an important part in the central work of of the Church - the ministry and propagation of God's Word. Pastoring, teaching, and other evangelistic and missionary ministries require some people to dedicate their working hours to their ministry. But they can only do this successfully is all the others partner with them in the ministry through encouragement, prayer and financial giving (v6). In this way, the whole body works together to glorify Christ and spread His Word.
In all these ways, we fulfil the Law of Christ (6:2), which is defined in the New Testament as (1) loving God with all our heart, (2) loving our neighbour (all people) as ourselves, and (3) loving fellow believers in a special way, as Jesus said: "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).
In Galatians 6:1-6, Paul develops this military idea by giving a number of specific applications. (1) If a soldier is injured, the others do not gloat over him, but rush to his aid to restore him (v1). (2) If a soldier has an unbearable load, then others will help him to carry it (v2). Likewise, when people are in crisis we should be there for them. (3) If a soldier thinks himself too important to help his fellow soldiers, he is a useless solder (v3). Likewise, if we in pride and have no love, then we are nothing (1Corinthians 13:2). (4) Each soldier must focus on accomplishing the task his commander has assigned to him, and get his satisfaction from that, rather than focusing on other people's business, and gloating over their failures (v4).(5) Each soldier must carry his own load (backpack). Likewise, we must all fulfil our responsibilities, for one day we will have to give an account to the Lord (v5). (6) Each Christian soldier plays an important part in the central work of of the Church - the ministry and propagation of God's Word. Pastoring, teaching, and other evangelistic and missionary ministries require some people to dedicate their working hours to their ministry. But they can only do this successfully is all the others partner with them in the ministry through encouragement, prayer and financial giving (v6). In this way, the whole body works together to glorify Christ and spread His Word.
In all these ways, we fulfil the Law of Christ (6:2), which is defined in the New Testament as (1) loving God with all our heart, (2) loving our neighbour (all people) as ourselves, and (3) loving fellow believers in a special way, as Jesus said: "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).
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