Galatians 6:1-3 Ephesians 5:21 makes it
clear that in a marriage both partners must be
servants. We have already seen that in a good biblical marriage the
husband and the wife give preference to one
another(Romans 12:10).
Now I want to look at the second area of servanthood that leads to a
good marriage. A marriage that thrives is one in which both the husband
and the wife seek to
bear one another’s burdens(Galatians 6:1-3).
It is important that husbands and wives understand
that on this side of heaven no one is perfect. God asserts the fact
that you and I will sin after becoming a Christian (Galatians 6:1,
Romans 7, I John 1:8-10). When
we sin the Holy Spirit will convict us
of that sin, but God also has encouraged other Christians to help the
fallen brother or sister return to walking in fellowship with God.
Notice in verse one of Galatians 6 that God says,
when a Christian sins, those who are walking in the Spirit should seek
to restore the sinful one. How is it to be done? Not in a “holier than
thou” attitude; rather, this is to be done in a spirit of gentleness
realizing you are capable of the very same sin.
Husbands and wives (servants), you are then told to
bear the sinful one’s burdens (guilt, remorse, oppression, etc.). The
word “bear” in the original has the idea of “to lift up or carry off.”
In other words, help them to rid themselves of this guilt. How? By
pointing them to the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
What is this “law of Christ”? James 1:25, 2:12,
Romans 8:2, and other Scriptures
remind us that the law of Christ is
liberty or grace! We are to help lift the burden of our spouse, not by
making them feel more guilty when they confess their sin; instead, must
point them to Christ, reminding them of His blood that covers
their sin and encouraging them to rest in His forgiveness, love, and
grace.
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GOD is in the process of sanctifying His people. This means that no
husband or wife is perfect. Each will see times of success in Christian
maturity, but there will be times of failure also. Hus-bands and wives,
rejoice when you see the evidences of Christian growth in your spouse;
but when you see evidences of the “old man,” don’t “beat your spouse
up.” Rather, seek to help them carry their burdens to Christ and the
freedom He gives to all His people.
Ask God to help you be a servant to your spouse and
watch how God blesses!