Galatians 6:3-5 Watch Yourself and Help Others, For You Will Give Account Before God

Galatians 6:3-5 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.

Brothers and sisters, do not consider yourself above helping another, no matter your “social status.” The kingdom of God is the reverse of the system of the world. Remember, as Jesus said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [or the least], and the leader like the servant” (Luke 22:25-26). “The last shall be first, and the first last.” When you are to serve another, bearing his/her load, have in mind that Jesus says, “To the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me,” and “to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me” (Matthew 25:40-45). So when you are serving a fellow heir, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). Let this be your motivation when serving others. If you remember that you are nothing, except by the grace of God (cf. Romans 3:27-30, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Ephesians 2:8-10), then you will not be deceived and the service of others will become possible and practical.

There is, however, another error in your ways that could keep you from helping others. Many get sidetracked from doing good unto others by comparing themselves to others. Do not let this be you, dear Christian. “Pay close attention to your own work” (Galatians 6:4, NLT), and do not be caught up in concerns for what others are doing. “Each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). You will not finally be held responsible for how others act (though this does not mean that you are exempt from exhorting other believers unto love and good deeds (cf. Hebrews 10:24)). Therefore, examine your deeds and test your heart that your deeds may be found as precious metals and stones that will endure the testing fires to result in reward on the Day of Judgment (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Only then can you have confidence of your reward—you can have no confidence of receiving any reward from the work of others. So stop comparing yourself to them.

Now, this passage also has implication for those of you who are yet unbelievers. You too will bear your own load. You too will stand before God in judgment and give an answer for every deed you have done (cf. Jude 14-15). You cannot look at other unbelievers and weigh yourself against them. You will not answer for them, but only for yourself as weighed against God’s perfect standard—against which you have fallen gravely short. Do not compare yourself to believers either, even if they act in a hypocritical manner (some of which may not be true believers (cf. Matthew 7:21-23)). You will not have to answer for their deeds, but only for your own. And do not let them come between you and God; otherwise the hypocrites are closer to God than you are. Repent of your evil deeds! Turn from your sinful ways to God’s ways. Trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins. His death upon the cross alone can save you from your wickedness, making you both right in your forensic standing with God and changing your heart from evil to good. You stand condemned before God—trust Christ as your Lord, God, and Savior, and you too can be saved.