A Lesson in Community

This fall I'm in a small group that is going through the study "Gospel in Life", by Tim Keller. One of the studies a couple of weeks ago was on community, and for the reading we looked at a number of different passages in Scripture that talk about characteristics of community. One of the passages that was looked at was Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens."

Keller had this to say about this verse:

There is a hidden reciprocity in Galatians 6:2 that should not be overlooked. Notice it does not say "carry other's burdens, but "carry each other's burdens". It means something like this: 'Live in a community where you don't let others carry their loads alone, and where you also don't try to carry your own load alone...

I was assuming that Keller would then go on to talk about how it is important in community that everyone look out for each other, and that we should be wary of people who don't seem to be willing to help "carry the burden". Um, no. He had better stuff to say:

'Help others and let others help you.' It is a form of hypocrisy to be willing to help others with their weaknesses but to hide your own or refuse help. It takes a gospel-changed heart to give help unselfishly to others, and it takes a gospel-changed heart to receive help unashamedly from others.

I think I need to have a more gospel-changed heart in both of these areas.