In the sixth chapter, the Epistle to the Galatians closes its message with four intensely practical lessons.

The exhortations of the first five verses present a lesson concerning burden bearing.

''Bear ye one another's burdens," says verse two, "and so fulfill the law of Christ." And how can we bear one another's burdens? The answer is found in verse 1:

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

What a blessed good thing it is, when we become weak in the faith, to have a faithful brother take up a part of our burden, and through prayer and kindly, spirit-filled instruction seek to lead us into a more perfect understanding of the truths of God's Word. What a help it is to have such a friend seek, by every possible means, to strengthen us in our Christian convictions and in our stand for Christ. And when we have drifted from God, and been overtaken in ia fault, how wonderful to have a true Christian friend, who will not criticize, being mindful of his own weakness, but who will come to us with kindly, warm-hearted, sympathetic, godly counsel and exhortation, and thus seek to lead us back into fellowship with God. In serving as such a faithful and loving friend to others, Christians bssr one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Of course one who is in constant need of such help is but a babe in Christ, and we should not remain babes, but should press forward to maturity in our Christian experience. And so the next verses exhort us to the needed growth:

For if a man think Himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Did you note that last expression? "Every man shall bear his own burden." When? When he handles his own spiritual problems, putting his own works to the test, and thus no longer stands in need of the help of another to keep him steady for Christ.

But, as a former pastor of mine once pointed out, there is a step yet further in advance of this, to which we would call attention. It is good, when we are* in need, to have others help bear our burdens. It is better to grow in grace to the place where we can bear our own burdens. But it is best of all, so to learn to know our Lord that we can do as the scripture says, and experience the joyous fulfilment of its promise: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Ps. 55: 22).

In verse six we find our second lesson — an exceedingly brief one, but how pointed —  a lesson Concerning stewardship, and Christian appreclation."Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things."

To minister of our material things to those who minister to us in spiritual things is plainly a duty of God's children. It was so in the Old Testament economy, for the sustenance of the priests who ministered in the temple was to be from the gifts and offerings of the worshipers. In the injunction, "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox when he treadeth out of the corn" (Deut. 25:4), the law of God plainly illustrated the principle which our Saviour states, 'The laborer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7), while the Apostle Paul, led of God's Spirit, speaks of ministering to the material needs of God's servants, when he says, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour" (I Tim. 5:1718; See also I Cor. 9:3-11).

But to minister of our material substance to the needs of the saints is more than a duty — it is a privilege, and there is rich reward for such exercise of our stewardship. Many scriptures set this forth, but one of the promises which is most filled with blessing for the faithful steward of the Most High is Hebrews 6:10:

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

And it was to the faithful stewards who were so ministering that the precious promise was given: "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

The third lesson — a lesson concerning sowing and reaping — comes before us in verses 7-10:

Be not deceived ; God is not mocked ; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Following as it does upon the admonition of verse five, there is in verse six an implied promise that as we sow generously in our gifts of our material possessions, we shall reap abundantly, not only in spiritual blessings, here and now, but in reward at our Lord's coming again. This is also the plain teaching of II Cor. 9:6-8:

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparing.}-; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

This principle may be applied to every realm of Christian experience.

In verse eight of Galatians six, it is specifically applied to our yielding ourselves to the old nature, or to the new — to the flesh, or to the Spirit. As we yield ourselves to the flesh, we are sowing the seed which brings forth corruption, that is, the works of the flesh listed in chapter five, verses 19-21, with all the horrid harvest of suffering, disease, heartache, and heartbreak, and death which follow in their wake. But as we sow to the Spirit, in yielding ourselves to His gentle guidance, we are not only insuring for ourselves, here and now, a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit — we are also sowing the seed which shall bring forth a bountiful harvest throughout life eternal. Among many wonderful possibilities suggested by this expression we might call attention to the fact that most certainly, as we now sow to the Spirit, when we enter into eternity we shall see blessed fruitage in souls won to Christ and saved through our testimony. And in eternity we shall learn what now is hidden from us, what encouragement, and strength, and blessing came to our fellow Christians through hearing our Spirit-filled lives.

In verse nine this same principle is applied to our service for Christ: "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Did you get that, O Christian friend? Would you receive an abundant reward when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Then be earnestly, busily, sacrifically serving Him now, for in such service is sown the seed which shall be reaped in our Saviour's accolade:

Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord (Matt. 25: 23).

The fourth lesson is a vital one, indeed — it is a lesson concerning the occupation of our hearts and minds. This is the central subject of verses 12 through 16:

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uneircumcision, but a new creature.

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and upon the Israel of God.

The key verse here is verse 14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . " In this verse it is suggested that there is a significant contrast between the occupation of the Apostle Paul, and the occupation of the false teachers who have been opposing him. They are occupied with the opinions and the persons of men. They are occupied with their own reputations. Paul, like a true servant of his Lord, is occupied with the cross of Christ, and with the Christ of the cross.

As we bring this study to a close, and with it the series of studies in the Epistle to the Galatians, we can think of no more fitting way to close than to commend to you the occupation of the Apostle Paul. May we, dear friends, each and every one, learn truly to say with him,

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

With him may we learn to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Heb. 12:1-2). Such occupation is replete with blessing for the soul who practices it, for the promise of God's Word is, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. 26: 3).