Galatians 6:4–5

"But let each one test his own work" (v.4). Assumptions and claims have no place before God. Instead, let each one judge himself strictly and weigh the true value of his own work. He is to examine himself, but make no boast of it before others. "And then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." Such self-judgment puts the believer personally and alone before God. There he judges his own work — not by comparing it with the work of others, but as God sees it.

The word "testing" means "proving," or "putting to the test." The Pharisees and Judaizers tried to boast in so many circumcisions, in what they had accomplished in connection with others. Paul, by contrast, says the thing you can really boast in is your own work — if that work can pass the test.

And what work will stand the fire? Only that which is according to the Word of God: "If anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Tim. 2:5). He must strive by the rules of the contest, not by his own ideas. The rules for us are the Word of God. How much there is all around us, and perhaps much in our own lives, that is not according to that Word. Let us test our work. Let us test it now.

Instead of deceiving ourselves by vain boasting, let us each test our own works. Are they works of law which magnify self, or works of love after the pattern of Christ? Paul had worked in love in Galatia. The believers there were the fruit of his work, and in that he can rejoice as belonging to himself. Others were using the apostle's work to exalt themselves and exclude him.

Suppose someone examines everything and so proves his work thoroughly. Then he will have his rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. There the apostle is giving a home-thrust: let him put it to the proof. No doubt the Lord will own true service. But wherever a man honestly examines and proves his work, it never gives him grounds to congratulate himself. It is deeply humbling in every possible way.

The point before the mind of the Spirit here is that everyone should look to his own ways. Then, in the coming day, he may have rejoicing as to himself. The word is needed and wholesome beyond all doubt. The heart is so deceitful that we always tend to dwell on the ways and failings of others rather than our own. You can complain loudly about a speck in someone else's eye and never notice the log in your own.

Of ourselves as Christians we must give account. As sinners, we have given account already, and received in the rich grace of our Redeemer double for our sins. But a day is coming which will test by fire not us, but our work (1 Cor. 3:13). Our faith is tested now; our work is to be proved hereafter. But in view of that day, the call here is to prove our own work in the spirit of self-judgment... So let each believer examine and weigh two things: what he puts his hand to, and what he approves or allows.

Galatians 6:2 and 6:5 use two different Greek words: "Bear one another's burdens . . . For each will have to bear his own load." We may and should bear one another's troubles with sympathy; but each one is responsible for his own "bundle": he cannot transfer it to another.

In verse 5 the word is used for something that you can and should carry yourself. It is your own responsibility, which nobody else can or should take. It is clearly a different word. We also find this word in Matthew 11, in connection with the yoke of Christ, where He says, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." There it is obviously we who carry the burden ourselves. Even then, in the context of Matthew 11, we see that the Lord carries it with us.

The apostle closes this part of his subject with another statement, one that might look like a contradiction next to verse 2. In fact, we have here the two great practical principles of Christianity: one is active, energetic love, which bears the burdens of others; the other is personal responsibility.

It is important that we have genuine compassion and care for others. But we must not expect others to take responsibility for us, and we should not busy ourselves with what is their responsibility.

Notice, this is not speaking about salvation. If a man had to bear his own burden in the matter of justification before God, it would destroy every hope. The Psalmist says, "Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you." If God enters into judgment with me on this question, I am lost.

No one can shift responsibility onto other shoulders. Each believer will have to give his own account to God. A solemn thought! We easily forget the judgment seat of Christ, where the Lord will go over everything we have done in this life. But to overlook it is dangerous. Grace does not do away with responsibility; it deepens it.

Instead of deceiving ourselves by empty boasting, let each of us test our own works. Are they works of law which magnify self, or works of love after the pattern of Christ? … Let us see that our works are true Christian works, that produce fruit in which we can rejoice. For each one is responsible for his own work, and in this sense "each will have to bear his own load."

The heart is so treacherous that we always tend to watch the ways and failings of others instead of our own. We can easily complain about a speck in someone else's eye and never notice the plank in our own. … Beware of climbing into the judgment seat; that is the right of the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

We may carry what we will, and it will always be our own. … Christ's burden is light in the carrying, and receives a crown of righteousness as its reward. But we may load ourselves with weights we ought to throw aside. That harms us now and costs us greatly at the end. The cares that belong to us as men are not the burdens we ought to bear as saints. The Lord expects us to cast them on Him. What we bear as Christians we should first receive at His hands.