Galatians 6:1-5
The first 5 verses of Galatians 6 Paul covers, among other topics, helping others through times of spiritual lapse, helping to bear other’s burdensome afflictions, and keeping oneself free from the flights of ego that sometimes infect us all. Great, practical stuff here.
Verses 4 and 5 contain the important concept of examining what you yourself are doing, with-out comparing yourself to other people. The idea is that we will evaluate ourselves, not against the expectations of others, but in relation to what God equips and empowers us to personally do. The standard in which we find glory is the standard of God, and His work in our lives.
Verse 5 gives the rationale: “For each one will bear his own load.” The term translated “load” comes from the idea of the proper load a cargo ship would carry; the load it is supposed to carry. Reflecting on verse 2, we are supposed to help one another in the overwhelming times of life, but, to put it bluntly, we are designed to and God will give us strength to carry our own weight. To contribute our strengths and abilities in serving Him and bringing glory to His name.
By what standard do we evaluate our service to God? Are we doing what we think will bring us glory from men? Are we searching the scriptures to find out what pleases God? Are we growing in our relationship with Him? What are we learning from the life of Jesus, and how we can model it? It is not about “acting like something,” it is about a growing maturity from the heart. Being changed from the inside out (Ephesians 1:15-23).