Topic: Bear One Another’s Burdens (Galatians 6:1-5)
Matthew 7:3-5, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Here Jesus warns against hypocrisy in correction. How can I correct without being a hypocrite? Correcting someone can be a natural part of building stronger relationships, fostering personal growth and creating a culture of accountability. We've all been in situations where we've seen someone do something wrong, and we've felt the urge to correct them. But often, we hold back, thinking that we need to be perfect or holy to point out someone else's mistakes. The truth is, you don't need to be flawless to help others grow. However, it's crucial to approach these conversations with empathy, humility and a willingness to learn. We can't truly help others grow if we're not willing to confront our own imperfections. Let's acknowledge our own flaws and weaknesses, just as we expect others to acknowledge theirs.
In Galatians 6:1-2, Paul writes, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
We're called to carry each other's burdens and restore one another gently. This requires a willingness to confront our own imperfections and approach others with empathy and understanding. By approaching these conversations with empathy, humility and a genuine desire to support growth, we can create a culture of accountability and improvement. Remember, imperfection is a natural part of life, and it's through our imperfections that we can learn and grow together.
Let's embrace imperfect correction, acknowledging our own flaws while helping others grow. May we approach correction with humility, empathy and a genuine desire to support each other's improvement. As we do, may we create a culture of responsibility, honesty and growth that reflects the love and grace of Christ.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem