carry your own load, plus...

Galatians 6:1-6

The only repeated idea is carrying a load or burden and it is used in two very different instructions. The first time Paul tells us to carry each others' burdens and the second time he tells us to carry our own. What's interesting to me is the context of the two statements. Even though they are very close together, they are in tow completely different contexts. The first is in the context of seeing someone caught in a sin. Then Paul instructs the reader to go against eveyr instinct adn not abandon that person to the consequence of their sin but to walk with them and to help carry their burden. This goes against everything that I have been taught by the church (whether they taught it on purpose or not, I've alwayaas been told to watch out for sinners because they will drag you down. The best thing to do is to cut them off and not have anything to do with them).
A little later, Pual tells us that we should carry our own burdens. In this case he is saying that we will all be accountable before God for the choices that we have made and we won't be able to blame other people or circumstances. I will be responsible for my own burden at that time.
According to Paul, I not only have to evaluate my own choices and watch out for sin in my own life, I have a responsibility for my brothers and sisters. This is such a great picture of the Body: we look out for each other because we belong to each other.