What Does the Law of Love Demand?
Intro:
1. The greatest commandment Lord Jesus gave us was as I have loved you, so you must love one another - Jn 13:34.
2. James called it The Royal Law (Jam 2:8)
3. So - what does this “Law of Love” demand?
Galatians 6:1-10
I. v1-6 - It Demands a Different Attitude
A. v1-2 A different attitude towards a weaker brother.
1. v1 Someone who is caught in a sin.
a. προλαμβάνω = lit: to receive in advance, to be caught by surprise.
b. παράπτωμα = sinned, made a false step.
2. The stronger brother is to restore him.
a. “Restore” (καταρτίζω) means to gently put him together like a doctor resets a broken bone or a fisherman mends his net.
b. It’s to be done “gently” (πραΰτης) in a spirit of meekness, humbly, not arrogant because you could be tested (caught) next (Golden Rule).
c. You should voluntarily sacrifice your freedom in deference to your brother (Rom 14:15).
3. v2 The stronger brother is to carry his brother’s burdens (a weight that may be too heavy to carry alone) .
B. v3-5 A different attitude towards yourself.
1. v5 Although we must help the other brother, we are still responsible for our own burden.
a. “Load” (φορτίον) a burden that can be carried alone.
b. The more mature you are in the faith, the heavier the burden you can carry.
2. v4 Even if you are a stronger brother, don’t brag about it.
a. Bragging isn’t the way to “win friends & influence people”.
b. v3 You may not be as big as you think you are.
3. v4 You can be proud of work well done, just don’t broadcast it.
C. v6 A different attitude towards your preacher.
1. This means a good preacher deserves a salary.
a. “Share” (κοινωνέω) is where we get our word “coin”.
b. “Good things” (ἀγαθός) are those things that benefit, like money.
2. Lord Jesus said, A laborer is worthy of his hire - Lk 10:7. as did the Apostle Paul (I Tim 5:18).
II. v7-8 - It Demands a Definite Commitment
A. v7 A farmer reaps what he sows.
1. v7 You have a definite choice to make: whatever you plant you will reap.
2. You must decide what crop will benefit you the most & commit yourself to it.
B. As God’s natural laws of reproduction cannot be mocked, neither can His spiritual ones!
1. v7 “Mocked” (μυκτηρίζω) means to sneer at, lit: “turn up your nose” at.
2. v8 Many believe they can play with sex. God means for your to make a definite commitment sexually.
a. If you “sow” to please your natural desire, you will “reap” what that life offers - destruction!
b. If you “sow” to please the Spirit of God, you will “reap” what the Spirit offers - eternal life!
III. v9-10 - It Demands a Disciplined Tolerance
A. v9 You must never become weary as you live this Spirit oriented life.
1. Sometimes it seems like the world oriented person is the one who prospers.
2. Here I am having a rough time financially & he gets things on a silver platter!
3. Here I am having one tragedy after another & he doesn’t know what heartache is!
B. v8 But - he will experience heartache at the Judgment!
1. Patience & faithfulness to God bring joy & peace ultimately in the eternal rest.
2. Self-pleasure is for this life only. But - this life will end!
So - while this life is here & you have the opportunity, give of yourself to others & especially to the household of faith - v10.
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