What Are The Marks of a Spirit-Filled Church?
Explore the essence of a Spirit-filled church as outlined in Galatians 6. Discover Paul’s teachings on restoration, bearing burdens, humility, and the transformative power of living by the Spirit within a committed Christian community.
-
Bear One Another's Burdens
6 Brothers,[a] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[b] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Galatians 6: The Blueprint for a Spirit-Led Community
To examine Galatians 6, I want to give the bottom line on the front end. A truly spiritual church, which is a church that loves Jesus and is full of the Holy Spirit, will live out its faith in deep abiding, not only in Christ but also in community with one another.
A spiritual church is often described in loose vernacular as one that emphasizes signs, wonders, or spiritual gifts. While these things have their place and can certainly be supported biblically, when we study Scripture, we see that’s not the primary descriptor of a Spirit-filled church.
While in the Apostle Paul’s original letter, there were no chapters or verses, but in the previous chapter, he discussed the fruits of the Spirit. So, Paul is only continuing on the theme and implications of what it means to be full of God. Thus, in the final chapter of Galatians, Paul speaks of the responsibilities that Spirit-filled believers carry in community with God’s people.
Restorative
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
Paul frames this first verse as “you who are spiritual.” Before we go any further, let’s identify who he’s talking about.
In Western culture, occasionally, we hear people claim that they’re spiritual but not involved in a church. However, that’s not a cogent way of biblical thinking and is out of alignment with Scripture.
The people Paul references as “you who are spiritual” are Christians because they’re in Christ; thus, they’re spiritual. Because we are in Christ, our responsibility as believers is to care for each other within the Body of Christ.
As we digest this verse further, let’s identify that Paul isn’t teaching that we’re to confront anyone, anywhere, anytime we see someone sinning. That’s not the point here. Remember, in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul wrote that love covers a multitude of sins, and in Colossians 3, he tells us to forebear with one another.
However, Paul does say something unique here, and it’s the word “caught.” The context here isn’t “I caught you” in the sense of bursting through a door in a “got ya” moment. The word “caught” means when a brother or sister in Christ is overtaken by sin and enters a pattern of sinful behavior. He’s teaching us that, out of love for our sisters and brothers, when a pattern emerges, we need to approach them in conversation in an attempt to help them overcome.
As believers, we should strike a balance between never being quick to criticize and being unafraid to confront. God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but one of love, power, and sound mind. Paul isn’t referring to a spiritually elite class that reprimands other believers. No, he’s referencing a normal practice in the lives of believers, which is a responsibility of love.
So, the question becomes: What’s our aim?
Paul answers that in verse one: “Restore him/her in a spirit of gentleness.” The Greek translation of “restore” here is katartizdo. This was the term used for setting a dislocated bone back into place. To put a bone back in place will inevitably inflict pain, but it’s a healing pain. No one likes confrontation, but Paul’s informing us that we’re to confront, even when it’s painful. However, the aim of our confrontation must be to prompt a change of life and heart.
This confrontation with a “brother/sister” should be done “gently.” Paul says this gentleness will only come if you “watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” The temptation of this accord lends itself to pride and feelings of superiority. In Matthew 7, Jesus taught, “Judge not lest you be judged.” He wasn’t teaching to make a judgment. Instead, He cautioned your spirit of judgment by saying, “Be aware of the log of sin in your own eye.”
When confronting a brother or sister, we must do so gently, as if removing a speck of dust from their eye. That way, we won’t be able to be winsome if we go to someone without the awareness that we’re vulnerable to the same sin. If we feel we’re above the person, we’ll manifest an air of superiority that will destroy, not restore.
Supportive
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Again, following the works of the Spirit versus the flesh we saw in the previous chapter, we’re reminded not to operate in our old nature. Instead, we’re to operate in the new nature that the Spirit gifted to Christians. Our flesh is only concerned about our burdens. However, the Holy Spirit produces love, which moves us to care about our burdened brothers and sisters. As Christ followers, we should not let them carry their burdens alone.
That kind of love runs the gamut. Ranging from anything such as mental or physical illness, financial crisis, demonic oppression, addiction, family crises, or the weight of being trapped in a pattern of sin. You cannot help a brother or sister in Christ unless you come close to that burdened person and put yourself in their shoes.
A person operating in the flesh isn’t interested in bearing the burdens of others. Instead, they’re harder on other people than they are on themselves. However, Spirit-led Christians demand more of themselves than others so they can help others around them. Paul told the Galatians that, rather than placing themselves under the burden of law-fulfillment, they should be lifting burdens off others. Ultimately, this is the way to fulfill the law.
Nothing reveals the wickedness of legalism and the anemic nature of the flesh better than the way legalists treat those who’ve sinned. We see this most clearly in John 8.
While Jesus was teaching, a group of legalists known as Pharisees found a man and woman in the act of adultery. Rather than bringing both for judgment, they brought the woman before Jesus, even though both were caught in the act. The Pharisees brought her because it was easier to exploit her in their attempt to trap Jesus. In their self-centered scheme, she was merely a means to their end.
In their superiority complex, the Pharisees brought her before Jesus in a spirit of condemnation. They told Jesus how she was caught in the act of adultery and reminded Him that the law called for her to be stoned. Having noticed Jesus hanging out with sinners, publicly speaking on love and forgiveness, the Pharisees hoped to set a trap where He contradicted the law and Himself.
But Jesus told them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7).”
One by one, they dropped their stones and walked away. While that’s an incredible moment, what happened next is what we need to pay attention to.
“Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’” John 8:10-11
When she looked into Jesus’ eyes, she saw restoration. She saw someone who cared about her. He expressed words of repentance and illustrated that He didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17).
The Spirit-filled Christian seeks to restore a brother in love, while the legalist exploits the brother. Instead of laboring to restore, the legalist will use the brother to make himself look good. Yet, the Spirit-led believer approaches the matter in a spirit of meekness and love, while the legalist has an attitude of pride and condemnation.
We are to bear one another’s burdens because Christ bore ours first. Verse two could be summarized as, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We can’t bear each other’s burdens unless we have a proper, gospel-based self-view.
Trustworthy & Sincere
“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:3
You must prevent yourself from viewing a servant’s heart as beneath you. Don’t view yourself as too self-important. Carrying the burden of others isn’t something for the spiritual elite. While some people think that stooping to help someone trapped in a sin pattern is for others, Paul said if you believe that, you’re deceived. Pride will hinder love for one another. Conceit leads to the Christian “comparing himself to someone else (v. 4)” in a bid to feel proud or worthwhile.
Connecting verses four to five helps explain an apparent contradiction in this section. How can we “carry each other’s burdens (v. 2)” when “each should carry his own load (v. 5)?”
Load is not the same as burdens. The Greek word translated “burdens” means a heavy weight, but the different Greek word translated “load” refers to a kind of backpack. Verse five means each of us has a given set of difficulties and opportunities, a different set of weaknesses and gifts, as we each carry out our roles. These are our “load,” or our responsibilities before God.
If my car breaks down, my Christian neighbor can help drive my children to school, but he cannot assume the responsibilities that only belong to me as their Father. That’s the difference. It’s wrong for me to expect somebody else to be the father in our family; that is a burden (and a privilege) that I alone can bear.
“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” Galatians 6:6
While it can be easy to skim over this verse, its weight is found in the Greek. The Greek word for “the one who is taught” is katechoumenos, the one who is catechized. This shows how important it was for new converts to be given a body of Christian doctrine (catechism), which was taught to them by an instructor.
When Paul shared this word, he did something incredibly personal with the Galatians. He reminded them that it was he who catechized them. He said, “I am the one who taught you basic Christian doctrine.” In other words, “You know better than to be deceived by the false teachers that have come in among you.”
Paul immediately follows this idea of supporting those who teach us the truth of the Gospel with the warning in verse seven, “Do not be deceived.” In so many ways, this is the theme of Galatians because while many had been catechized by Paul, they’re now in danger of being deceived by false teachers who claim they must add the law to the Gospel to be justified. Paul reminded them that these false teachers weren’t interested in fellowship but in developing their following.
By outlining the proper teacher-disciple relationship in verse 6, Paul introduces his final appeal to resist these improper, false teachers. “Do not be deceived” is the beginning of Paul’s last, climatic appeal to hold to the truth. Paul uses one of the most familiar experiences in human history—the agricultural processes of sowing and reaping.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8
This is commonsensical, but If you sow corn seeds, you will not get tomatoes, no matter how much you want tomatoes to grow. Whatever you sow, you will reap. It’s not the reaping that determines the harvest but the sowing. This law of returns is as unstoppable in the moral and spiritual realm as in the agricultural one. This makes the adage true:
“Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
This is why Paul said, “God cannot be mocked” in verse seven. These are spiritual realities and cannot be taken lightly. Verse eight says, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.” This doesn’t mean that God is a vengeful God who sits in heaven waiting to zap someone when they cross a line. That’s not the picture here.
However, the image we see is that sowing and reaping indicate that there are consequences sown into the natural order of our lives as followers of Jesus. Paul’s reference to agriculture indicates that the moral universe also operates in a way God designed it in His sovereignty. Sin against God sets up strains in the fabric of the moral and spiritual universe, just as eating fatty foods sets up strains in the physical fabric of one’s heart.
If you give into your sin nature, you reap spiritual breakdown and destruction. The word “destruction” can also be rendered “corruption” or “disintegration.” Paul is saying that sin makes things fall apart. The warning is sobering, but the promise in verse 8 is wonderful: “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” And as a reminder, eternal life starts now. Be encouraged that as you live for Christ, you will see fruit in due time. Be edified that as you live for Christ, you will reap the benefits in due time.
Boasts in the Cross
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14
The false teachers boast because of the works of the flesh and claim that justifies them before God. However, Paul declares that he’s not boasting in anything but what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. Everyone who surrenders at the cross of Christ Jesus, through His death, burial, and resurrection, has taken all of our sins and buried them through the completed work at the cross. Our being made right with God isn’t based upon any outward thing we can do but inwardly through faith in what He did for us.
“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:17
While the Judaizers claimed that you had to have additional marks to be made right with God, Paul puts an exclamation point in his letter to the Galatians. The Judaizers bear the mark of circumcision, but it bears no benefit to them. On the other hand, Paul has suffered, been imprisoned, shipwrecked, and beaten numerous times, but he bears the marks of Jesus by standing courageously for the Gospel of Christ. It’s through His Gospel alone, by grace alone, for the Glory of God, that we are saved and birthed into eternal life. This is only accomplished through the love and power of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
TL;DR
Galatians 6 reveals the characteristics of a truly spiritual, Spirit-filled church, emphasizing restoration, support, and humility among believers.
Paul instructs Christians to gently restore those overtaken by sin, bear each other’s burdens, and avoid pride, stressing that living by the Spirit involves a deep commitment to community and the Gospel’s transformative power.
He warns against legalism and self-righteousness, urging believers to sow in the Spirit for eternal life and to boast only in the cross of Christ.
Galatians 6 underscores the importance of practical love, mutual accountability, and staying grounded in the Gospel to build a strong, Spirit-led community.
Related Reading
What is the Church by Rev. Paul Lawler
Characteristics of a Healthy Church by Rev. Paul Lawler
The Church as the Bride of Christ by Rev. Paul Lawler
The Church as the Bride of Christ by Rev. Paul Lawler
