Gospel Relationships Galatians 5:26 – 6:5

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks that are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

Context Works of the flesh Fruit of the Spirit v. 25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:26 – 6:5 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks that are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Conceit = “vain-glorious” or “empty of honor” Conceit is a deep insecurity, a perceived absence of honor and glory, leading to a need to prove our worth to ourselves and others Provoke = competitive, to challenge someone to a contest Envy = to want something that rightfully belongs to someone else, or to want that person not to have that thing

What is the gospel? God as the Creator of the world and of people People’s choice to try to do it on their own God being gracious in that, knowing people couldn’t do it own their own, chose to send Himself in the form of Jesus to pay the penalty for the wrong in the world Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross making is possible for people to be reunited with the God that created and loves them

The gospel creates a new self-image. It humbles me before others, telling me I am a sinner saved by grace. But it also makes us bold before others, telling me I am loved and honored by the only eyes in the universe that really count.

Moralism - we try to seek salvation through keeping rules Hedonism - we abuse freedom by rejecting the idea of having any rules)

Galatians 5:26 – 6:5 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks that are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

“Thinking about this is good for me: When we all have the same weakness, why did they fall and I didn’t? This is a mystery that makes me pray and draws me to prisoners.” - Pope Francis

Galatians 5:26 – 6:5 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks that are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

Gal 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 5:13-14 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command – Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:26 – 6:5 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 [For] if anyone thinks that are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

Summary When we feel conceited – superior or inferior – we need to root our glory, our sense of worth, in who we are in and through Christ. We need to think to ourselves, and ask the Spirit to help us apply to our emotions, the truth that we are all children of God. We are to confront our brothers and sisters in habitual sin, even when it will be painful, but our confronting must be aiming to prompt a change of life and heart. “When we have the same weakness, why did they fall and I didn't?” – Pope Francis To “serve one another in love” means to “carry each other’s burdens.” This brings the lofty concept of love down to earth. God has given each of us a different set of difficulties and opportunities, a different set of weaknesses and gifts. We each have our own load – responsibilities- and we can only weight them against ourselves, not others. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Discussion Questions When do you particularly need to preach the gospel to yourself? Is there a habitual sin you need to gently restore a brother from? Is your heart in the right place to do so? Are you willing to listen to others who seek to restore you? What opportunities has God given you to carry another’s burdens?