Galatians 6:1, “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

• Galatians is written by the Apostle Paul to a region of churches in Galatia, modern day Turkey, and in verse 1 you see the phrase, “Restore one another in a spirit of gentleness.”
• The word, “restore” in the original language means to “equip.” Write that in your notes, “The word restore means to equip.”
• This isn’t a casual word. It is an “active” word “to equip by exposing rips and tears in our relationships with one another.”   It is to “equip so that we are helping to mend the brokenness of our relationship with Jesus and with one another back together.”
• This is why the Apostle Paul uses the word “caught” in verse 1 because the word “caught” means to be “overtaken by sin” or “ensnared by sin.”

Galatians 6:2-5, “2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.”

• In verse 2 the Apostle Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens.” It is some of what we have been talking about in verse 1 as we care for one another, speak truth to one another, pray for one another, encourage one another, but, then, in verse 5 the Apostle Paul writes, “For each one will bear his own load.” Do you see that phrase?
• When you look at the original language the word “Load” is something that is manageable. But, the word for “Burden” in verse 2 are things in life that are overwhelming.

Galatians 6:6-7, “6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

• In verses 7 and 8 the Apostle Paul gives us an illustration to help us understand how long it takes to develop these types of biblical characteristics in our relationships with one another. It is the illustration of a farmer.
• First, a farmer tills the soil, then adds nutrients to the soil, then adds seeds the soil, then waters the soil, waters the soil, sees a little sapling come up and then has to fight off diseases and insects for months, so that after 9 months of sweat there is a harvest.
• It is similar in our relationships with one another, and what verses 6-7 help us understand is that we are always throwing seeds in our relationships with one another, and those seeds are either seeds of the flesh or seeds of the Spirit. Galatians 5. There are no neutral seeds.
• That phrase “Eternal Life” isn’t talking about salvation in a sense of “being with Jesus one day.” The phrase “Eternal Life” is talking about a quality of life we have in our relationships with Jesus and with one another.

Galatians 6:9-10, “9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

• In verse 9, “Let us not lose heart in building biblical relationships, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
• When you see the word “if” in verse 9 it can sound conditional like if we don’t develop biblical characteristics in our relationships with one another then we will not reap a harvest, doesn’t it?
• But, we need to remember the gospel! If you know Jesus, you will reap a harvest that is greater than anything we could ever imagine, because one day Jesus is doing to return.
• There is going to be a harvest. One day Jesus will return. The dead will be raised. All will be made new. Jesus’ glory will be made known. Those who are in Christ will reap. The harvest is coming.
• Therefore, the Apostle Paul writes in verses 9-10, “If you want you can get a taste of that coming harvest today.” You can sow seeds of the Spirit today. You can restore in a spirit of gentleness today. You can taste of heaven today.