“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
We continue this morning in our series on biblical community in the church, seeking to answer the question: what does it mean to be the church? One undeniable truth that emerged from last week is this: the Christian life. rather than being merely individualistic, is inescapably corporate. Life in Christ is not meant to be lived alone.
Of course, there is an individual dimension to our faith. Salvation is deeply personal. You are not saved by the church you attend or the family you were born into. Every person must personally repent and believe the gospel. Each of us will one day stand individually before God in judgment, giving account for the life we’ve lived and the choices we’ve made. As Paul says here in verse 5, “Each will have to bear his own load.”
Yet, at the same time, Scripture also makes clear that the Christian life is corporate. We are bound together in a spiritual family called the church. This is at the very heart of church membership: “I’m responsible for you, and you are responsible for me. I’m committed to your spiritual growth, and I trust you’ll be committed to mine.”
This process called sanctification—our growth in Christlikeness—cannot happen in isolation. The “petri dish” of spiritual growth is the life of the local church, lived in real relationships with one another. R.C. Sproul put it bluntly:
“It is both foolish and wicked to suppose that we will make much progress in sanctification if we isolate ourselves from the visible church…This is not the testimony of the great saints of history; it is the confession of fools.”
— The Soul’s Quest for God
The idea that a person can live the Christian life apart from meaningful relationships within a local church is not only foolish (because it’s unrealistic), but also sinful pride—the belief that we can do life alone.
In Galatians 6, Paul shows us what “Spirit-filled” living actually looks like. It’s not abstract or mystical—it’s practical, relational, and messy. A Spirit-filled community will be a burden-bearing community. In other words, one expression of our life together in the Spirit is our willingness to care for one another.
Paul gives two clear commands in this passage:
These two commands show us how true love for one another works in real life. They are part of what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16).
Paul begins, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” (vs. 1)
Notice the family language—“brothers.” The church is not a civic club or a charitable organization. It is a family of redeemed people knit together by the Spirit of God. And in that family, love sometimes means stepping into uncomfortable places, helping a brother or sister who has been “caught” or “trapped” in sin.
Also, when Paul says the “spiritual” should restore them, he doesn’t mean this is only the job of the “spiritually-elite” in the church. Rather, he means as believers, who possess the indwelling Holy Spirit, if you are going to live the “Spirit-filled” life, then this is what we must do for one another.
Now, the question always arises: when should I restore someone? When is the right time? The key word in verse 1 is “caught.” This doesn’t mean “caught in the act,” but perhaps a better translation is “overtaken” (KJV). Paul isn’t saying we are to confront everyone we see sinning in every way. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” We should not be quick to criticize and tell others their faults, but quick to overlook an offense, if possible.
We shouldn’t act as spiritual police every time someone stumbles. But rather should step in and humbly confront when that sin becomes a pattern, when it grips someone’s life. When that happens biblical love compels us to come alongside and help restore them.
And how do we do this? Paul says, “in a spirit of gentleness.” Restoration is not harsh or self-righteous. It’s humble and compassionate, remembering that we too are prone to fall. Pride will poison this kind of ministry, either keeping us from confronting others or from receiving correction ourselves. True restoration happens only when we walk humbly, motivated by love.
Paul’s second command expands the first: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (vs. 2)
A “burden” is a heavy weight—something too difficult to carry alone. And Paul assumes we all have them. For some, it’s the weight of temptation, a sin struggle, or excessive guilt. For others, it’s grief, anxiety, financial strain, family conflict, or physical suffering.
God never intended for us to carry these burdens alone. The lie of self-sufficiency says, “I don’t need anyone.” But isolation is not strength—it’s pride. Paul warns, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (vs. 3)
To bear another’s burden means to come close enough to share the weight, to put your own shoulder under their load so they can keep walking. If you’ve ever tried to move furniture by yourself, you get this. One or two others will make an enormous difference and lighten the load.
And when we do this, Paul says, we “fulfill the law of Christ.” (vs. 2) And what is that law? Earlier Paul says in Galatians 5:14, “The whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
This is the “law of love.” Jesus Himself is our superior model—He bore our ultimate burden, the burden of our sin and guilt, on the cross. He suffered and died, crushed under its weight in order to rescue us from the wrath of God. When we help one another carry their burdens of life, we are living out the love of Christ, the law of Christ, that once carried ours to Calvary.
These two commands—restoring and burden-bearing—describe what biblical community looks like. They are not optional extras that Christians can pick and choose; they are part of our calling as members of Christ’s body.
One warning Paul gives in verse 1 is to “keep watch on ourselves” lest we too be tempted. This could either mean we must be careful so as not to fall into the same ditch we’re trying to help our brother or sister out of, or it could mean be careful in the restoration process that you yourself don’t become proud and self-righteousness. But either way the temptation remains: we too are sinners and must humbly recognize our own weaknesses and propensities to sin. We too need the help of faithful brothers and sisters to carry our burdens.
One practical way we can live this out is through smaller groups or individual accountability relationships. These types of groups and settings provide a context for accountability, encouragement, and care that a Sunday service alone can’t fully offer. In smaller gatherings, we can know one another deeply enough to help each other fight sin and share life’s burdens. Have you perhaps considered finding a smaller group like this where you can share your personal struggles and be vulnerable with others? This is a normal part of the Christian life.
Imagine a church where no one carries their burdens alone. Where sin is met with grace-filled restoration. Where every member has brothers and sisters walking beside them in love.
That’s what Galatians 6 calls us to be. That’s what it means to be a Spirit-filled, burden-bearing church.
