Galatians 5:13–15; 6:1–5, 10

Bible Studies for Life
Director, Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence, Samford University

STICK WITH SERVICE

Galatians 5:13–15; 6:1–5, 10

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” If we truly want to have relationships that are durable and life enriching, we need to understand the importance of giving. Our giving can and will take many forms and may at times seem small and insignificant in terms of benefit to others. This should not prevent us from offering what we have in service of others. 

When we focus on helping others more than helping ourselves we discover durable relationships are one result. This Sunday’s lesson helps us understand why this is the case.

Show your love by serving the other person. (5:13–15)

The Galatian Christians were dealing with teachings of the Judaizers, who believed followers of Christ should also observe the teachings of the Law. In the case of the Galatian church, circumcision became the “hot button” issue and a source of contention. Paul’s word to the Galatians was they were freed from burdensome rules and ritual requirements of the Law. 

As a result of Christ’s grace, new law persons can truly experience freedom to live with joy and peace and hope. 

However, Paul offers a cautionary word. This freedom can become a starting place for all kinds of temptation. What can be done to help? “Through love be enslaved to one another” (v. 13b). All of the Law’s rules and rituals and regulations are fulfilled by “love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 14). This one word, “love,” is used in the sense of a commandment. Paul says the one who loves his or her neighbor has fulfilled the Law (Rom. 13:8–10) and all the other commandments are summed up in this one. 

Without that love of neighbor, arguments and disagreements about doctrine or right living can become contentious. The vivid, figurative caution against allowing disagreements to become like “biting and tearing each other to pieces” (v. 15) is relevant for us today. It’s far better to be slaves to one another, loving each other in the same way as we love ourselves.

Serving others means helping to carry their burdens. (6:1–5)

The old Southern saying “every tub has to sit on its own bottom” fits Paul’s counsel to the Galatians — and to us as well. However, Paul is not suggesting we are without help as we live the life of discipleship. Indeed we are each responsible for our own words and deeds. 

But when our relationships are built on love for one another, we take an interest in what is happening in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have compassion and empathy for them in their times of struggle, whether with temptation or with calamity. 

Each of us knows what it feels like to be disappointed by the words or deeds of others. More often than not, rather than recalling disappointments by others, we remember those who reach out to help when our burdens seem overwhelming. 

Our burdens may be in the form of making Christ-honoring decisions or choices. Knowing we have relationships with others who care deeply, who come alongside to help bear our burdens can make all the difference. Their prayers, willingness to listen, caring hearts — or honest and frank words that convict — make the Church a community with relationships of care and compassion unlike any other.

Seize every opportunity to serve. (6:10)

“Compassion fatigue” is weariness that sometimes comes to those who serve others. We are called to serve just as Christ served. What are we to do when the persistent needs of others seem to exceed our capacity to give? If we all practiced “love one another” as Jesus commanded (John 15:12) with all people, there would be no such thing as compassion fatigue.