Sermons from the Epistle to the Galatians

Responsibility in the Body: Bearing Your Own Load

Galatians 6:4-5

December 6, 1998

The Christian has a three-pronged responsibility in life, all of which are interrelated. Each has a bearing on the effect of the other. He first has a responsibility toward the Lord, to love, obey, worship, and serve Him with heart, mind, and soul. We realize that this is the heart of the Bible's demand upon all men. We are to 'love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength'. But we also know that foremost commandment is followed with, 'and you shall love your neighbor as yourself'. What better place to display the grace of God in our hearts than within the body of Christ. Here the believer has a second prong in his responsibility toward the other members of the body of Christ, to love, admonish, serve, forgive, help, and nurture. But all of this will begin to fall apart if he fails in the third prong, which looks inward. The Christian must give attention to his own life if he is to be faithful in his love and service toward God and the Church.

Some of our translators have helped us get a better handle on what these verses mean. Weymouth translates it, "But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will have his reason for boasting, not by comparison with another, but in regard to himself. For every man will have to shoulder his own load." J. B. Phillips Modern English translation expresses the passage like this: "Let every man learn to assess properly the value of his own work and he can then be glad when he has done something worth doing without depending on the approval of others. For every man must 'shoulder his own pack'."

The issues facing us in this text are two-fold: examination and responsibilities. We must give ourselves to regular examination. And we must seek to maintain our own responsibilities. We might find ourselves being faithful in service to others, but neglect our own lives spiritually. Or we might be diligent in offering service to the Lord, attending to matters of worship faithfully, but fail to give proper attention to our own load. To do so is to be out-of-balance.

Perhaps we can call this the development of proper balance in the Christian life. We are not to be come "lop-sided" so that one prong of responsibility is neglected while the others receive attention. There is often the tendency to go fast and furious in one area while basically ignoring the others. Our desire must be to develop the proper balance necessary to maintain a healthy, vibrant, useful Christian life.

The lessons of our text offer a good reminder of taking care of one prong which often is neglected. How do you bear your own load? Let us give consideration to this essential prong of a balanced Christian life.

I. Examination

Examinations come in every realm of life. Our young people are quite familiar with examinations in their courses of study. Engineers have criteria for examining bridges, roads, and buildings. Physicians conduct examinations of their patients. Banks have regular examinations of their fiscal soundness. In each type of examination, there is a determination made of what is present and what is not present in each situation examined. Some type of standard exists by which the examiner measures the condition of the thing examined. Deficiencies in some area alert the examiner to changes which need to be made. Extraneous additions point also to changes which must be made.

Should we who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ be any the less diligent in examining our own lives in light of the law of Christ? If men will go to such great trouble and expense to examine temporal things, should we not give attention to examining that which is eternal?

1. Broad in scope

We are immediately confronted by the breadth of this command, "But let each one examine his own work." The call to examination implies that we are 'testing something to verify its value or condition'. The word Paul uses does not imply conducting a morbid introspection of your life. Some have fallen into this trap by virtue of personality or influence. They examine themselves alright, but that is all they do! They continually stay in a morose condition because they see every flaw which exists in their lives and every kind of deficiency imaginable. The implication is not that we are to apply tweezers and cover every speck of our lives, putting it under a microscope, trying to find something wrong.

Instead, the word was used of the examination of metals. The reality of the metal was present, but the testing by fire resulted in a purer, more brilliant metal. It was found to be approved after being tested. This is what Paul is exhorting us to do. We are to apply the standard of the law of Christ to our lives, seeing the fruit and evidence of a new nature in Christ, but also submitting every facet of our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit.

All of us are called upon to practice self-examination. This command is not relegated to the elders or deacons who are to be examined before serving, but it is true for all of us. How many professing believers take the time on a regular basis to consider whether their motives are pure, or whether they have allowed hidden sin to creep into their lives, or whether they are growing in godliness? Most simply operate on 'automatic pilot'. They just take what comes their way without forethought to dealing with the issues of sin in their lives or neglected obedience. "But let each one examine his own work," we are told. Knowing that you will one day stand before the Lord, you are to examine yourself now. Understanding that it is unto Christ that we live or die, we are to examine ourselves.

This kind of examination is to be done regularly. Again, the Greek brings out the present tense emphasis. Examination is not a decision that you make on one occasion, then walk away from it. Instead, this passage calls for an ongoing process of self-examination. It is a daily reflecting upon your walk with Christ. It is a daily consciousness that Jesus Christ is your all in all. It is a daily reminder that we are held accountable before a holy God who has given to us the Holy Spirit to dwell within and strengthen us to live out the demands of the gospel.

I believe that such self-examination, in which we ask the Spirit of God to search our hearts and expose our innermost thoughts, is nessary for a stable walk with Christ. Perhaps some of you struggle with being consistent in your spiritual walk. Could it be that you have failed to daily examine yourself in light of the Word of God and the indwelling witness of the Spirit? All of us fall prey to areas of neglect in our spiritual lives. Do we examine ourselves to see if we have been neglecting obedience to Christ or the Word of God or our prayer lives? Sin creeps into our lives, seeking to enslave our passions and desires. Do we examine ourselves to see if we have excused certain sins in our lives or if we have adopted harmful patterns or habits? Some time our attitudes and motives have gone sour, yet we keep going on as if nothing was wrong. If we take time to examine ourselves in light of Jesus Christ, then we cannot excuse such a souring of our lives.

Examination is never for condemnation. Nor do we examine ourselves in order to gain acceptance before God. That has been secured firmly in Jesus Christ and His merits! Instead, examination is for discipline and improvement in our Christian walks. It helps to keep us balanced in living out the demands of the Christian life. Are you practicing regular, self-examination?

2. Narrow in focus

It is important to see that Paul does not tell us to 'compare yourselves with others'. Instead, he tells us, "But let each one examine his own work, then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another." That last phrase, "and not in regard to another," helps us to understand why examination is narrow in focus. We are to examine ourselves by the right standards.

If we consider the details of our context, we know that Paul has already addressed believers helping other believers who have been "caught" in sin. These are wounded brothers or sisters, fallen in the conflict of spiritual battle. It would be very easy to examine and evaluate ourselves by comparing our walk with theirs. We could see the pattern of sin which has trapped that person and quickly pat ourselves on the back for not having fallen prey to the same sin. And thus, consider ourselves approved simply because we have not been caught in the same behavior. In this case, we are examining ourselves "in regard to another." We pick out someone who has lowered the standard then compare ourselves to him. In light of this, John Calvin warned his congregation, "It often happens that we compare ourselves with others and from the low opinion that we form of them set a high price on ourselves" [CNTC, 110].

But the standard for examination is not a fallen comrade. Nor is it the world about us. When we compare ourselves to the world, with all of its selfishness and boastfulness, we can find plenty of room for smiling about our own behavior. Yet the world is not our standard. So what are we to compare ourselves to as we examine ourselves? I think the context would point us to "the law of Christ" (v.2).

We saw in an earlier study that the law of Christ refers to the moral implications of the gospel. It is the "law of love" as Martin Luther expressed it. It involves loving, living, caring, ministering, serving others as Jesus Christ does. If we but look at ourselves in light of the biblical revelation of Jesus Christ, we will quickly have a proper perspective on others and a humble attitude before God! Where do we find this law of love? We must go to the Word of God, so that in light of the examining power of the Spirit, we are able to focus upon where our attitudes, conduct, service needs increase by God's gracious hand.

There is a wonderful residual effect when we look upon the law of Christ as our standard. We will find plenty to work on in our spiritual disciplines. We will have much to pray about concerning our own walk before God. And, as Leon Morris adds, "If we are concentrating on ironing out the imperfections in what we are doing, we are unlikely to be critical of what other people are accomplishing" [Galatians: Paul's Charter of Christian Freedom, 180].

So how are we to approach personal, self-examination? I believe the prayers of the Psalmist may be helpful to us:

Examine me, O Lord, and try me;

Test my mind and my heart. (Psa. 26:2, NASB)

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way. (Psa. 139:23-24, NASB)

We are to pray for understanding and light on our own spiritual condition. We are to read the Word of God with an eye to seeing how we might be purified and shaped in the image of Christ. We are to recognize those areas where we must strengthen ourselves in obedience. We are to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit pointing out sin in our lives or habits or wrong attitudes; not to excuse ourselves, but to confess and repent of these sins; to plead for God's mercy in overcoming them.

Do you regularly examine your life before God? Do you find it easier to point a finger at someone else, but rarely take a close look at your own behavior? My friend, let us not excuse ourselves or boast falsely or ignore issues of sin in our lives. Let us not grow soft in our obedience and faithful service. But examine your own work by the standard of the law of Christ, knowing that your standing with God is only by the merits of Christ. But also realizing that with the gift of grace comes responsibility for living as one who is God's workmanship, created unto good works which God before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10).

II. Responsibilities

There is a distinction in the words used in verse 2 and 5 to describe a "burden" or a "load." As we saw in our earlier study of verse 2, "burdens" refers to something too heavy to carry alone. It was used of someone carrying a large stone around. He might lift the stone and move it a ways, but would find it virtually impossible to carry it all day long. So we are exhorted to help each other with these heavy stones in life. But in the case of verse 5, "For each one shall bear his own load," the word used is not describing something impossible to bear alone. Instead, it was a word used of a ship carrying its own cargo or a soldier carrying his own backpack. I believe Phillips captures this well when he translates the phrase, "For every man shall "shoulder his own pack."

Here we consider what responsibilities before God belong to each person. These are the kinds of things which no one else can do for you. It is you who are responsible before God. The word is a future tense which points ultimately to our standing before the Lord. In this case, it has a three-fold implication. We are to bear our own load...

1. Personally

You have responsibilities in your own walk with Jesus Christ which no one else can do for you. The church cannot be a substitute. Your pastor cannot be your substitute. Your spouse or your parents or your children cannot be your substitute. There is a weight which you must shoulder in life.

This is not necessarily a popular subject in our day! We have so many who do not want to claim responsibility for anything. They do not want to have any expectations upon their lives. Please understand what I am saying. I am not pointing out that you have responsibility to do things which will result in your salvation. This work has already been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross. But if you have been on the receiving end of His saving work, then you now are to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby." "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you."

What kind of personal responsibilities do you and I have before God? We must seek Christ daily through His Word and in prayer. No one can do that for us. Just as someone else cannot eat and drink for you, neither can anyone else read the Word and pray as you need for your spiritual life. As we prepare in just a few weeks to begin a new year, you will find once again Bible reading guides on our book table. You have a responsibility to be a student of the Word. Even if you are not a teacher or preacher, you still, as a Christian, have the responsibility to understand the doctrines and principles of Scripture. You will certainly learn some by attending Bible study and participating in worship, but that will not suffice without personal Bible reading, study, and prayer. Will you carry your own backpack? Determine that you will be faithful before the Lord in His Word and in committing time each day in prayer.

No one else can worship for you. You have the responsibility to prepare yourself for worshipping with the body of Christ. Do you consciously seek to be ready to meet the Lord through worship each Sunday?

No one else can obey for you. We do not account for obedience to the Lord by proxy. We are told to be "doers of the Word and not hearers only." Our Lord calls for action in our lives in regard to His commands.

No one else can do the confession and repentance that you need for your daily walk with Christ. You are the one who knows your own thoughts and attitudes. You are the one responsible before the Lord for your sin against Him. You are the one who must "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."

"For each one shall bear his own load." Shoulder your own backpack.

2. Corporately

Each of us has the responsibility to "bear his own load" within the church body. We have noticed on numerous occasions how I Corinthians 12 describes every Christian being placed strategically in his local church. He is given particular spiritual gifts for service to the body. He is to join with others in the church to carry the load of Christian ministry joyfully and faithfully. Do you take this responsibility seriously?

I realize that it is popular in our day to be a church member without having any responsibilities. People do not want to be asked to do anything nor do they want to feel guilty for their neglect. I certainly am not interested in seeing people put on a guilt trip. That is the wrong kind of motivation. But I am vitally interested in every believer understanding that there is something seriously wrong with his profession of Christ if he can continually neglect the body of Christ!

Each of us are to participate in the overall ministry of the church. This does not mean that everyone will do the same thing. We are gifted in different ways. You may be able to serve in a way that I am incapable. But you are to serve...and so am I! Peter expressed it so clearly in reference to our spiritual gifts. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10). Having been on the receiving end of the multi-faceted bounty of God's grace, we are to employ our "grace gifts" in service to the body of Christ. Peter calls this a matter of good stewardship or management over what God has entrusted to us. If you are a believer, then you have been entrusted with some special gift which this church needs. It may be in teaching or in administration or in helps, whatever it is, be faithful in seeking to employ it within the body.

Every person in the body also has the responsibility of helping to carrying the financial load of the church. Giving is a community project in the church! The very next verse of our text tells us, "And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches." That refers to giving! It is a spiritual act to give. It is part of our worship of the Lord and the deep expression of our love for Christ and His church to give in a God-honoring way. We have been blessed in various measures financially. Some have been entrusted with greater resources. Why is this so? Is it simply to have more things? Let us all be reminded that our great Provider has made us stewards over all He gives to us. Let us give a fair and generous return to Him who has provided all we have.

The work of witnessing in the community belongs to all of us. I realize that some are more articulate than others and that some possess greater knowledge of the Scripture than others. But we all seek to do our part in the work of sowing the seeds of the gospel in our community. The enlargement of our effect and our corporate witness for Christ in this area is dependent upon each of us seeking, as God gives opportunity, to tell others about Christ. I imagine that the Lord gives plenty more opportunities than we are taking advantage of! This is part of bearing your own load.

Let me add one more thing in regard to this corporate responsibility. No one else can attend church and participate for you. We have no vicarious church attenders! You miss both the benefit of studying, fellowship, and worship together, as well as the encouragement others will receive from you when you are negligent in this area (Heb. 10:24-25). Will you determine, as one who is serious about bearing your own load, that you will be faithful in every service we have unless you are Providentially hindered?

3. Ultimately

We cannot help but see that this passage is heading in an ultimate direction. "For each one shall bear his own load." The future tense points to this as a continuation in life. Yes, it involves our personal and corporate lives. But ultimately, we bear our own load before the judgment seat of Christ. The New Testament is very clear that each of us will give an account of ourselves before our blessed Redeemer.

Romans 14:10-12 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,; And every tongue shall give praise to God."; So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. [NASB]

South Woods Baptist Church