Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, ..."

"Is overtaken" means to be apprehended or taken by surprise - caught red-handed". Ryrie

The unsaved are habitual sinners - the saved are not willing sinners, they can fall and fail - stumble and be surprised. Through grace there is a way back (1 John 1:9 ).

Galatians 6:1 "... you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, ..."

Their pride and self-satisfaction in Pharisaic conduct and self-works for salvation makes such shun the stumbled one with thankfulness and disdain that he is not as the fallen (Luke 18:11 ). They are blind to their own need and therefore are without sympathy for the need of the fallen. Being spirympathy for the need of the fallen. Being spiritual means one who is so by the assistance of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14 ). The spiritual understand and follow the things of the Holy Spirit, one who is controlled by and regulates his life by yielding his spirit to the Holy Spirit. In the spiritual the fruit of the Spirit grows, and their spirits become the channel of Holy Spirit gifts of wisdom and knowledge. (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Colossians 1:9 ). Ministry to those who have stumbled and fallen needs to be accomplished with Holy Spirit gentleness and tenderness. Such service will require patience and consideration in a spirit of humility.

Lawrence O. Richards, commenting on "restore" (Galatians 6:1 ) says of the Greek word 'kata rizo': it is a medical term used of setting a broken bone. We're to help the broken mend, not expose them to shame or to ignore the damage sin does to their lives.

Galatians 6:1 "... considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

There is no room for the pride of being superior to the fallen one. Sin can take any one of us by surprise, and the present one in need of restoration may well become our restorer. may well become our restorer. "Considering" is the attitude of being on guard against a very real possibility. The prayer of Matthew 6:13 is a fitting one even for the spiritual.

Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

To be in God's family makes us responsible for one another. As family members His love in us moves us to unselfish acts towards one another. As family travelling together on life's pilgrimage, we are to be concerned about and assist in bearing one another's burdens.

	Burdens of weakness (Galatians 6:1 )
	Burdens of responsibilities (1 Peter 5:2 )
	Burdens of persecutions (Matthew 5:10 )
	Burdens of heart-trouble (Matthew 8:6; John 14:1 ).

Coming in the Spirit of Christ to the aid of one carrying a heavy load, is an expression of living by the law of Christ, which is to love one anotherf Christ, which is to love one another (John 15:17 ). In the freedom of His love we can relieve another - restore another - refresh another - refurbish another - redirect another - recompense another - and refortify another. Particularly help those who have fallen, because of your own vulnerability (Galatians 6:3 ). Self-confidence can really be self-deception. Our confidence must be in Christ who gives us victory and freedom through life in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16 ). We are individually accountable to God and cannot lessen our own responsibilities for our work and conduct by dependence on the help of others (Galatians 6:4 ).

Galatians 6:5 "For every man shall bear his own burden."

There is an individual pack that each soldier of Christ must carry. There is to be no shirking the responsibility of our calling and gifting in Christ. Whereas others can come along to help when we stumble, once on our feet we must take up our own load of responsibility.

Galatians 6:6 "... share in all good things with him who teaches."

Giving support to those FT>

Giving support to those who minister in the Word is a New Testament principle (1 Thessalonians 2:6,9; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Philippians 4:10; 1 Timothy 5:17-18 ).

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Fleshly sowing has its harvest of corruption (Galatians 6:8 ). In contrast spiritual sowing brings the harvest of everlasting life. The law of sowing and harvest is established by God. God will not be mocked in what you sow. If you sow death you will reap death - if you sow life you will reap life. Sowing in giving - even giving to the poor according to 2 Corinthians Chapter 9, will bring abundant reaping (2 Corinthians 9:6 ).

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

We are to follow the example of Christ (Acts 10:38 ) and maintain good works (Titus 3:8,14 ). Don't weary in good works, they bring glory to God and reveal His kingdom and enhance our lives by His likeness in us. Weariness or spiritual fatigue comes froess or spiritual fatigue comes from lack of stimulus of the Word - and lack of the breath of God upon us through want of prayer and communication with Him. Your spirit, fed by the bread of God and revitalised by the breath of God will energise your going about doing good. The reaping of that good in true reward is positively assured (Galatians 6:10 ). Priority is to be given to the household of faith as recipients of our doing good.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What does it mean to be "overtaken" in a sin? (Galatians 6:1 ).
2. Can you describe what it is to be "spiritual"? (Galatians 6:1 ).
3. What does it mean to minister in a spirit of meekness? (Galatians 6:1 ).
4. Are you practicing care and responsibility towards other members of God's family? (Galatians 6:2 ).
5. What is the law of Christ? (Galatians 6:2 ).
6. Would you include, facing up to the responsibility of your calling and gifting in Christ, that of bearing your own load? (Galatians 6:5 ).
7. What should be the practical response to one who faithfully teaches the Word? (Galatians 6:6 ).
8. What kind of sowing are you involved in? What kind of harvest do you expect? (Galatians 6:7 ).
9. What is the cause of spiritual fatigue and neglect of maintaining good works? (Galatians 6:9 ).

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