Kelly - Galatians 6

Paul confuses me a bit in this chapter...but I think it also may lie at the root of some of my own behavior.

v.2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
v. 5 "for each one should carry his own load."

Huh?

But when I think about it, I realize that this type of double standard has been part and parcel of my own faith for many years. I will help you carry your burden, but I will also be responsible for my own. I have a double standard - what I expect of my own behaviors is far greater than what I expect of anyone around me (at least those I don't know well, things get a little stickier when we talk about my husband or children). I've been aware of this double standard in my life at least since high school. I have very high expectations for myself.

Which means I've always struggled with accepting grace. I may be able to accept the nebulous grace of God - but concrete forms of grace that come to me from those in my life are difficult for me to accept. On top of which, we live in a culture of remuneration....if you scratch my back, I'll offer to scratch yours.

A constant growing edge...and I susupect from these verses that it was a struggle of Paul's as well.