Galatians

So we've been studying Galatians on Tuesdays. This coming week is our final week for the study - Galatians 6. It's bittersweet. I am so excited to cover it! Last week we talked about what it is to walk in the Spirit. I had previously written in the margin "Realize how actively our sinful nature resists peace. When we are filled with ourselves we are explosive." I can't remember if it was from a previous study or from a Sunday morning, but I was moved with how true the statement is. Compare it to the fruit of the Spirit. I had written from a Beth Moore study that patience is the quality of a person able to avenge oneself and yet refrains from doing so. Wow!
This week I've been reminded what Galatians 6 says. If you read verse 2 "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Now compare it to verse 5 "For each one shall bear his own load." Wait a sec! These are opposite. But if God is perfectly consistent, what does this mean? It's so exciting - the Greek word for "burdens" in verse 2 is like a wheelbarrow type burden. So we can share the load. However the verb in verse 5 for "load" is like a backpack type burden. So we would have to bear it on our own. Wow!