The Liberty of Love Galatians 6:1-10 Chapter 11

William Booth – “Others” One another – key phrases in Christian vocabulary –Love one another –Pray for one another (James 5:16) –Edify one another (I Thess 5:11) –“Prefer one another” (Romans 12:10) –“Use hospitality one to another” (I Peter 4:9) –“Bear one another’s burden (Gal. 6:2) Bearing Burden (6:1-5)

–Legalist is not interested bearing burden He adds to other’s burden (Acts 15:10) Sin of Pharisees in Jesus’ day –“For they bind heavy burdens and grevious to the bones, and lay them on men’s shoulder, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matt. 23:4) “Overtaken” – being surprised –Woman in adultery – John 8 –Jewish mob attacked Paul thinking he had defiled the temple –Legalists don’t need facts and proofs; they need rumors and suspicions –Contrast in aim Spiritual man seeks to restore the brother’s love

–Restore: to mend as a net or to restore in an broken bone The legalist would exploit the brother The believer led by the Spirit and living grace seeks to help erring brother –By love serve one another (5:22) The legalist condemns and uses the brother to make himself feel good –Jesus as a physician was criticized by the Pharisees –“Love covers all sins” (I Peter 4:8) Legalist rejoices when a brother falls and gives publicity so he can boast about his own goodness –“Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another” (5:26) »Provoke: to challenge to a contrast or to compete with

–Legalist lives by competition and comparison and makes himself looking good by making the person looking bad –Contrast in attitude The Spirit-led believer approaches in the matter of meekness and love The legalist has an attitude of pride and condemnation –The believer is not immune from falling »“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Cor 10:12) Believer knows the love of Christ in his heart (John 13:39& 15:12, Gal 5:13-15) –Tender loving care –Reconciliation : the purpose to win your brother, not argument (Matt 18: 15-35)

The legalist has no time for winning saved souls –He shares the sad news with others –II Cor 10:11 –Burden »Gal 6:2 – heavy burden »Gal 6:5 – soldier’s pack –Shared Blessings (6:6-10) Fellowship – communicate (6:10) –Sharing – mark of Christian experience –Koinania – to have in common »Common fellowship (2:9) »Common faith (Jude 3) »Sharing in suffering of Christ (Phil 3:10) »Sharing of blessings with one another (Acts 2:42, I Cor 8:4, Heb 13:16)

Precept to share with one another –What we do with material blessings is an evidence of how we value spiritual things –For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:21) –The laborer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7) Principle of sowing and reaping –Two kinds of soil: flesh and Spirit »Money sown to the flesh brings corruption »Money sown to the Spirit produces life and can be planted again for another harvest –He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully. (II Cor. 9:6) –Paul sacrificed and labored so he would not be a burden to the churches while the false teachers used the churches to promote their schemes

–A carnal believer thrives under the “spiritual dictator” of a legalistic promoter – pastor because he feels secure, successful, and spiritual –Promise (6:9) “In due season we shall reap if we faint not” Spiritual fainting caused by lack of devotion to God –Thessalonian church: work, labor, and patience (I Thess 1:3, Rev 2:2) –Ephesian church left their first love (Rev. 2:4-5) Lack of prayer –“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint Luke 18:1 –Prayer is to spiritual life as breathing is to physical life Lack of Nourishment –“Men shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matt 4:4

–“Wait on the Lord Isaiah 40:28-31) –The seed that is planted doesn’t bear immediately Shared blessings involve teaching God’s Word, giving of our material blessings and “doing good unto all men” (6:20) –Doing good unto all men »Our words »Our works –Priority to “the household of faith”, the fellowship of the believers (I Timothy 5:8) –Believers as a receiver and then transmitter –Believers abounding in love for one another will overflow in love for all men (I Thess 3:12)