Galatians 6:1-10

content/bible_journal/galatians_6:1-10.md

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+title = "Galatians 6:1–10"
+date = "2023-08-22"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians6.1-10)
+
+Though we are saved by grace, we are still sinners and fall for the temptations
+that come our way from time to time. When this happens we are to turn away,
+that is, repent of it, but sometimes we need a bit of help to do so. This is
+the essence of Paul's instructions for "you who are spiritual". (_v. 1_) When
+we confront someone over their sin, the goal is for them to repent and be
+restored to fellowship with the rest of the believers, not to punish them or
+hold their actions over them or to boast that we have never and would never do
+such things. Any of these would sinful for us in one way or another.
+
+Verses 2 and 5 kind of sound like they contradict each other. One tells us that
+we should carry each others' burdens, but the other says we don't. I think they
+key is that two different words are used. I don't know what the original Greek
+had, but 5 out of 7 translations I checked used "burdens" and "load", though
+one was the Esperanto translation, using _ŝarĝojn_ ("loads", or "burdens") and
+_portaĵon_ ("thing to carry"). Even though all of these translations use either
+synonyms or the same word, verses 3 and 4 change the subject a bit in between
+these two words so that they aren't referring to the same concept. When we bear
+each other's burdens, we are helping people work through the hard times when
+they are dealing with their struggles with sin. When we bear our own load, we
+are dealing with the effort of doing the Lord's will and walking in
+righteousness. We aren't to try to steal anyone else's work or try to compare
+our load with someone else's. We will get our reward for what we do and no
+more. God doesn't grade on a curve.
+
+Verse 6 is could be used to justify pastors getting a good paycheck, and I
+think that is appropriate. If your pastor is faithfully bringing you God's Word
+week after week, explaining it so that it works in your life, then compensate
+him for the time he spent studying! He doesn't need to be the richest person at
+the church, but he doesn't need to be the poorest either. For what better
+investment can you make than one that will enrich your eternal life? Just be
+sure that he is faithfully and accurately handling the word of God, because not
+all pastors and preachers do that, and a number of them aren't even saved!
+
+Not only your pastors, but do good to everyone, for the rewards you get will be
+greater than what you sacrifice. A farmer doesn't plant seeds hoping he'll get
+as many seeds back at the harvest, but to make a profit and have more seeds
+than that to plant next year. It might sound like a selfish motivation for
+altruism, but the Lord wants to reward us for doing good.
+
+* * *
+
+You are gracious to us in both our faults and our virtues.