Galatians 6:2

DISCOURSE: 2087
BENEVOLENCE RECOMMENDED

Galatians 6:2. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

TO open and unfold the mystery of the Gospel, is doubtless an employment which, in point of utility to others, or of comfort to ourselves, may vie with any other, in which a human being can be engaged. But to inculcate the morality of the Gospel is also a most delightful office: and a minister of Christ, who feels averse to it, gives reason to fear that he has never yet entered into the spirit of the doctrine which he professes to teach. St. Paul manifestly delighted in this good work; for, in the close of all his epistles, he paid the most marked attention to it [Note: See Galatians 5:19.]. Nor did he rest in general instruction, but descended to the most minute particulars; omitting nothing that could tend to advance the honour of God, or the welfare of mankind.

That we may enter into the precept before us, we will consider,

I. The duty enjoined—

Burthens of some kind every man is called to sustain—
[Some may be comparatively freed from them; nor do they lie on any with the same weight and pressure at all times: but no child of man is altogether exempt from them. The body is subject to diseases, the mind to trials, and the outward estate to disasters, which no human foresight can prevent, no power on earth can avoid. They greatly mistake, who think that trouble is the exclusive portion of the poor. The rich, in their respective spheres, are as obnoxious to it as the poor; and, for the most part, by reason of their keener sensibility, they feel it more acutely.]

Nor can any support their burthens alone—
[The king upon the throne needs the assistance of others, as much as the beggar upon the dunghill. The very necessities of our nature call for mutual aid. No one could support himself alone. It is by the division of labour that society is kept together, and every individual that composes it is made happy. All, taking on themselves some one office for the benefit of others, promote, at the same time, both their own welfare, and the welfare of the whole community. The artisan, the man of science, the practitioner in any useful line, supply the wants of others in common with their own; and, whilst depending on their employers for their own support, administer support in return to them. It is thus that the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed, and the weak protected in their rights.]
But, not confining ourselves to the duty of our own particular station, we should endeavour, as God may enable us, to bear the burthens of all—
[This may be done in a way of sympathy, and in a way of succour. As members of the same body, we ought all to care for each other [Note: Philippians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:25.], and to sympathize with each other under our several circumstances, whether of joy or sorrow. The Divine command is, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep [Note: Romans 12:15.].” But sympathy must shew itself in deeds, and not in words only. It will be to little purpose to “say to our destitute and naked brother, ‘Be warmed,’ or, ‘Be filled,’ whilst we withhold from him what is needful for his support [Note: James 2:14.].” True, indeed, we cannot all administer relief to others in the same way, or to the same extent: but what we can do, we should with alacrity and joy. The eye, the ear, the tongue, the hand, the foot, cannot all render the same service to the body: but, if they improve their respective energies and powers for the good of the whole, they answer the end for which they were formed. Thus we should consider what service we are best capable of rendering to every afflicted brother: and to that we should address ourselves with all diligence; blessing and adoring God, who has put it into our power to shew love to our fellow-creatures, and fidelity to Him. The word which St. Paul used, to express the assistance which the Holy Spirit affords to us in our necessities, marks the precise office which we are to occupy in assisting all who stand in need of help from us: we should take hold on the opposite end of their load, and bear it together with them [Note: Romans 8:26. συναντιλαμβάνεται.]. And this we may all do in some measure, yea, and must do, if we would approve ourselves faithful to the trust reposed in us.]

That we may be stimulated to this duty, let me endeavour to impress upon your minds,

II.

The consideration by which it is enforced—

In executing this office, we “fulfil the law of Christ”—
[The Lord Jesus Christ has enjoined it as our duty: “These things I command you, that ye love one another [Note: John 15:17.].” He has gone further; and proposed himself to us as the pattern to which, in our exercise of love, we should be conformed: “A new command I give unto you, that ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another [Note: John 13:34.].” He has gone further still; and declared, that the love which we are here called to exercise is the distinctive badge of all his followers: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Nay more; he has told us that it is the test whereby he will try our fidelity to him in the day of judgment: to those who have administered to the necessities of others be will give a suitable reward; and to those who have neglected this great duty, a just and fearful doom [Note: Matthew 25:34.].

Now, if he had only expressed it as a wish that we would perform such services for him, methinks it were abundantly sufficient to call forth all our exertions in his service. But when he issues it as his command, as his command which we must obey at the peril of our souls, who will venture to disobey it? Think but a moment what Christ has done for you: “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich [Note: 2 Corinthians 8:9.].” Has He, the God of heaven, left his throne of glory, that, through his own sufferings unto death he might exalt you to it: and will not you, a redeemed sinner, forego some small comforts, in order to administer to the necessities of your afflicted brethren; and especially when called to it by your Redeemer himself? — — —]

This law, then, I now call you to obey—
[Let the affluent bear the burthens of the poor — — — The healthy, of the sick — — — The enlightened, of the ignorant — — — The saved, of those who are perishing in their sins — — — And let those who are not able to engage actively in the duties of benevolence spread the cases of their afflicted brethren before God in prayer, and bring down from God the help which they themselves are unable to impart — — —]