The major theme that Paul is emphasising in his epistle to the Galatians is to please God, rather than pleasing man. In Paul's efforts to please God, many people were displeased and some even turned against Paul.
Such circumstances can affect the relationship of the brethren among one another. Hence, in Galatians chapter 6, Paul is exhorting the need of keeping the right relationship among one another. Some of the practical steps to keep the right relationship among the brethren, as exhorted by Paul are as below.
1. Those who are spiritual, restore those who are overtaken in any trespass, Gal 6:1
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Gal.6:1)
Restoring the trespassing brethren is a ministry to be practiced in the church. Those who are spiritual must restore the trespassers. Restoring should always be done with the spirit of gentleness. The restorer must be cautious that he himself will not be tempted.
The Lord Jesus gave a clear teaching on this in Mtt.18:15-17. When anyone in the church trespasses, a spiritual person must approach him personally with an intention to restore him. If the trespasser does not heed, then take one or two from the Church and counsel him. Even then if he refuses to repent, then bring it before the church.
Apostle Paul in 2 Cor.2:5-8 says that the punishment inflicted on an erring brother, should not be beyond his ability to bear. The intended purpose is that the right relationship be restored among one another.
2. Bear one another's burdens to fulfil the law of Christ, Gal 6:2
Each one in the Church can be different from the other in his context. Everyone will have his own burden, which may not be seen by others. Burdens of each one will differ from the other. An intimate interaction with them helps us to understand their problems. Brethren are expected to bear one another's burden and support them.
Paul says in Philemon 18-19, while restoring Onesimus, that whatever Onesimus owes Philemon, be put to Paul's account and he would bear that burden for Onesimus. Bearing one another's burden is fulfilling the law of Christ according to Gal.6:2.
Christ who bore our burdens upon Himself is the perfect example. Therefore, when we bear one another's burden, the Christlike character is seen in us, and this fulfils the law of Christ.
All the members of the Church are the members of God's household and children of one father. Hence, we are obliged to bear one another's burdens, which will contribute to the strengthening of our relationship with one another.
3. Be realistic in your thinking about yourself, Gal 6:3
"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Gal.6:3)
What one thinks about himself, makes an impact on his relationship with the rest of the brethren in the Church. Thinking himself to be something, while he is nothing is a self-deception.
This attitude will only take such people away from one another, rather than bringing them into a closer relationship. Everyone is assigned a specific work in God's field, one to plant and another to water. No one becomes greater than the other based on the work allotted to him.
Ultimately, it is God who brings the increase in the Church. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (1 Cor.3:7). While Paul talks about himself, he says "who am less than the least of all the saints" (Eph.3:8).
There is no individual who is placed in the Church, without whom the Church will not function. When one fails, God rises another for the church belongs to God. Therefore, each member of the Church is supposed to humble himself and continue in good relationship with another.
4. Examine your own works, than judging someone else's work, Gal 6: 4, 5
"But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load." (Gal.6:4-5)
Each one is given a lot of work pertaining to the ministry that God has given to him. Apart from this, he has to bear his own domestic and family related load, which is his primary obligation.
Here, the context is someone else is boasting in the work that Paul has initiated. Therefore, Paul is emphasising that each one find reasons to rejoice in his own work and not in others. Interfering and taking the credit of someone else's work can always negatively impact our relationships with one another.
At the end, we all have to give an account to the Lord for the work that we have done while we are in this body, each one is accountable for his own work and not of the others. Therefore, Paul says "lest I should build on another man's foundation" (Rom.15:20).
When someone intrudes into another's work, and tries to gain a name or fame for himself through another's work, it can always create a relationship problem. Therefore, we should first judge our own works than judging another, which will establish a better relationship among one another in the church of God.
5. Share with those who teach you, the good things that you have in life, Gal 6:6
The fellowship of the saints also involves the sharing of all the good things they have, with one another. Here, Paul is pointing out the relationship between the one who teaches and the ones who are learning. Paul was a teacher and a spiritual mentor for the Galatian believers. Even though he did not demand anything in return from them, Paul strongly reminds them of their relationship and obligations with those who teach them the word of God.
A spiritually growing Church should always have a good relationship with those who teach them the word of God. Teaching the word of God is a labour that God has entrusted to those who teach. Bible says. "The labourer is worthy of his wages". Paul writes to Timothy "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim.5:17-18).
Every teacher of the word, should sincerely labour in teaching the word to the Church and the church should respectfully learn the word that is taught to them. This will strengthen the relationship with one another within the Church.
6. Know that a man will reap the fruit of all what he sows, Gal 6:7
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Gal.6:7)
In the context of sharing the material things with one another, Paul continues to say that a man will reap what he sows. The Church while on this earth, has many material needs for various purposes. God never expects the needs of the church to be met by any outside agencies, but only by the generous contribution of God's people.
Within the Church, there may be many who are in different needs which has to be met by the cheerful giving of the saints. Giving anything in the name of the Lord is like sowing the seed which will yield fruit in its own time.
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Cor.9:6). The early apostolic Church had the practice of pooling in all their resources and sharing according to the needs of each one.
This strengthened the relationship among the believers very strongly and they all lived in oneness and unity. God rewards everyone who sacrificially gives in the name of the Lord. Whatever is sown in the name of the Lord, will be reaped in abundance.
But if anyone thinks that he can reap the benefits without sowing the seed, he is deceived in his understanding. When we share what we have with one another, our relationship with one another will also be strengthened.
7. Be eager to do good, especially to those who are of the household of faith, Gal 6:10
All may not have sufficient material resources to share with others. But nothing prevents us from doing good to others. Especially when it comes to the household of faith, we are all the more obliged to do good to one another. We all belong to one household, the household of God.
Therefore, whatever we do, whether by deeds or words, we should be careful to ensure that it will result only for the good of our brethren and it never causes any harm to others. Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal.6:9).
Let each one look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Such attitudes will only harm our relationship with one another. We are asked to be the servants of one another. We should always be looking for an opportunity to do something good for the household of faith.
This will help the Church to grow in good relationship with one another. We all are the children of one father, the members of one household. Irrespective of any circumstances, we should always ensure that our relationship with one another should never be affected.
The more we relate with God, we should also maintain that good relationship with God's children within our Assembly. Our relationship with one another is the great testimony that we can show for to the world. G&P
Bro. Jose Mathews, Mangalore
