"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression [sin], you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear [carry] one another's burdens [Greek: those that are far too heavy for one person to carry alone; something overwhelming], and so fulfil the law of Christ [to love one another]. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work [actions], and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbour [then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else]. For each will have to bear [carry] his own load [Greek: his own rucksack]" (Gal 6:1-5 ESV / NIV).

As we step into 2022, let's determine to be there for each other, and for those in real need with whom we come into contact and could possibly help. We don't know what lies ahead, but we do know that Jesus will be with us and he will be providing opportunities for us to express his love to others and to point them to him.

Our passage starts with how we should respond to those "caught in any transgression". Like the step-by-step process laid out in Mat. 18:15-17, our aim must always be win the person over; to win their hearts into willing change. Grace, comfort, reassurance, vulnerability, transparency, genuine love, identification, a listening ear, a smile, etc., are the weapons of our warfare in such cases; not judgementalism. It is the Spirit's job to bring conviction and he does so "in a spirit of gentleness".

Two types of burden are mentioned here and they are very different. The first is something that is so overwhelming that it is too heavy to be borne alone. Unlike those mentioned below, people carrying such burdens do not blow the trumpet and announce their need to all. They often suffer without anyone knowing. What to do? The sufferer needs to make their needs known to at least one trusted and sympathetic brother or sister in Christ. That may be far from easy. What should the rest of us do? We need to be alert, sensitive and observant; ready to go the extra mile in providing loving support for all who genuinely need it; and we all will at different stages of our lives.

The second burden is a personal rucksack with two possible meanings. When this happens in the Bible I tend to give equal weight to both interpretations! 

Steve Brady wrote: "Every Christian will have their individual responsibilities which cannot be devolved to the local church or to any third party." Unfortunately there are some who try to off-load every personal responsibility onto the shoulders of others; even attempting to coerce them by taking them on a guilt trip, accusing them of being unloving and uncaring if they don't leap to the rescue. But each of us should carry out the normal duties of life without complaint or drawing attention to ourselves. See 2 Th. 3:6-15.

John Stott wrote: "This is a burden that cannot be shared – it is our responsibility to give an account to God of how we have lived our lives. On that day you cannot carry my pack and I cannot carry yours". For the Christian, this would refer to the Judgment Seat of Christ for determining possible rewards, because we have already passed from death to life. But I think we should take it as a timely reminder to make the best use of our time here on earth by yoking ourselves to Jesus. The evangelist Steve Hill starts every day with a prayer question: Lord Jesus, what are we going to be doing today?