At least I didn’t……

Galatians 6:1-5 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

As I read some of my daily scripture feeds, I came to Galatians 6 above. I thought of how it would be good to write about helping one another. Then I spent time studying this scripture and God shed a different light on it; one that we all fall guilty to – comparing ourselves to one another.

There is a part of all of us rooted in pride that will compare ourselves to our neighbor. “Well at least I didn’t do what they did…..” is the typical thought. Our pride is elevated and many times we rest on that rock that will crumble. These scriptures speak directly too that. When we see someone that has been overtaken in sin, we must first protect ourselves. This is done in much prayer and seeking God’s Word for guidance. We must approach them in love, but not in pride, for that pride will lead to our fall also. As in verse 3, For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself; Paul speaks directly to that. My pastor once told of God speaking to him saying “the other mans sins are just more visible”.

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. We should consistently self examine and surround ourselves with Godly influences and true friends that will approach us and tell us the truth. The immediate conviction of sin in your heart is an assurance of Salvation. If you are knowingly in habitual sin, finding comfort in that sin, and you are not denying a tug on your heart to stop that sin; your problem is much larger than that sin alone. Get on your knees and repent from your heart for a cleansing of your heart and forgiveness of your sin.  For each one shall bear his own load. We are responsible for ourselves and will answer to God for every thought, word, and deed in the future. My prayer is that you are seen by Him through the clear lens of Christ’s paid debt, and not the stained glass of pride.