Scripture

Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Consider

In this passage, Paul urges the Galatian Christians to show their love for one another by noticing when a fellow believer is in distress and to offer help. When he writes, you who are godly, Paul means every Christian, not only those who live exemplary lives. Each of us has the responsibility to follow Christ as best we can, not only as individuals but also as a community. Together, we cultivate a church body that glorifies God through our caring for one another.

The “law of Christ” is a rule of love—for God and for one another—that governs our lives and our relationships. We practice this law of Christ, Paul says, when we share one another’s burdens and offer gifts of compassionate help:

Empathy. We can identify with a believer’s difficulty and relate as a fellow sinner who suffers from temptation and understands the struggle. In humility, we can admit times when we, too, have stumbled under a burden and needed another’s help.

Prayer. The body of Christ—the church—lives and thrives by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can pray with and for the burdened believer, inviting the Spirit’s supernatural work into a hurting heart that needs God’s restoration.

Counsel. Scripture helps us to live good and wholesome lives. With gentleness and respect, we can share God’s words of wisdom and truth to help a troubled believer find clarity in the midst of confusion.

Hope. Believers who are entangled in sin have lost their way. We can come alongside to offer compassion without judgment and to share stories of God’s faithfulness to us when we, too, had lost our way.

Practical Help. Sometimes easing a physical burden can open a door to deeper healing. We can offer to babysit, shop for groceries, provide transportation, or cook a meal. Or we can simply sit and listen to a brother or sister’s troubled story with patience and humility. Sharing the burden means embodying Christ’s love for this person in any way that can help and heal.

Pray

FATHER, I long to love like Jesus, who became human so that he could share our burdens and lead us back to the right path. I ask you for the grace to notice when someone is suffering and for the courage to step up and share that person’s burden. Grant me the counsel of your Spirit to speak your words of truth and hope into the situation. Help me to take responsibility for unity in my church and to do what I can to promote patience and forgiveness, so that together we can glorify you.

Reflect

Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:9-10; 15:2-6

Ponder

What burden do you carry that tempts you down a wrong path? How could a fellow believer help you?