Some people have attributed the Bible with contradictions, when in reality the writer was looking at something from two different perspectives. For example, Paul encouraged the brethren of the churches in Galatia, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Paul was thinking of those times when we need each other’s help and support, and what it means to know there are brothers and sisters in Christ who care and are willing to help us through difficult times. When we face temptations, or become discouraged with the situations we face in life, it helps to know others have similar struggles and can support us through such. Compare what Paul said to the Thessalonians, “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
However, this in no way contradicts what he wrote just a few verses later in Galatians: “For each one will bear his own load” (Galatians 6:5). While we can help support others in difficult times, and receive help from others ourselves, in the final analysis, we must choose how we each live, and we will answer for the choices we make. There are times when we all need encouragement, when our load or burden in life is beyond what we normally deal, and it helps to have someone walk with us. However, we each have to live our lives every day, and only you can decide what you must do, and you will give account for the decisions you make for your life. No one can make you sin unless you choose to do so, and no one can make you do the right thing, unless you choose to do so.
While two sides of the same truth were explored here by Paul, perhaps the bigger challenge is to know when to get involved and when to back away. Isolationism is not good for the Christian, as it gives Satan a huge advantage in tempting us, allowing his voice to be the only voice we hear. On the other hand, involvement by some can sometimes be nothing more than a person being nosey or bossy, assuming authority where one does not belong. Paul warned about this when he accused some in Thessalonica of “acting like busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
The key seems to be Paul’s thought between these two verses in Galatians, in 5:4: “let each one examine his own work.” We must be sure of the motives of our hearts, honest with ourselves, before we are qualified to help anyone else. Self-deception is one of the biggest problems in Christianity. It is the most frequently used tool of Satan on us, as he cannot be effective in controlling us with sin if we are honest with ourselves about what it is doing to us personally. It is always easier to see it in others. This is why Jesus warned:
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:2-5)
There are no contradictions in Scripture, but there very well may be some in our hearts and in our lives. That is why we need each other at times to help us see ourselves more clearly, to be more objective about life and to make better decisions. We all, however, choose for ourselves what we see, how we live and where we end up. What about you? “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” (Shakespeare).
