Thursday, September 29, 2022
Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
The Privilege of Bearing Another’s Burdens
The best friends are the ones that go with us into the worst times. God uses others to help us through the hard times and to lead us out of the messes we get ourselves into. If you are the one that has been called to restore someone in gentleness and bear another’s burden, realize what a special person you are to be invited into this time and this place in their lives. Not just anyone gets invited into the deepest darkest places of our lives and not just anyone can help us get out.
Paul is urging believers to help our loved ones in this passage because it is part of His purpose for us: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another John 13:34-35. Burdens are a part of life, but we are never meant to carry them alone. Often, we think we need to just get over it or pull ourselves together, but God’s design is for us to help each other. There is no shame in needing and accepting help from each other. Love always looks for ways to help and lift each other up.
This is not as hard as we can make it seem at times. We are not solving their problems and we are not rescuing them. We are not controlling them. We are walking alongside them and lifting them up, encouraging them to keep going and praying for them. When you see a burden to bear, bear it.
Paul was speaking directly to the legalists within the Galatian Christians. He knew they were big rule followers, wanting to keep the Law as the way to salvation. So he plays on the word law by saying that they would be fulfilling the law of Christ by bearing each other’s burdens. Following the law only – going through the motions in our own flesh and not relying on the spirit will not save us. Works alone do not get us into heaven. The only way we can follow the law is by relying on the Holy Spirit. Instead of trying to carry the burden of trying to be perfect and follow the law enough to be qualified, we need to carry each other’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ – the law of love.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14
Jesus freed them from the law they could never fulfill. His law is the law of love and that is what He wants us to choose to live by. We have been set free and we can use that freedom any way we choose. As an example, Jesus had all the freedom, and He chose to serve others in love. When we serve others in love we get out of the flesh and into the power of the Holy Spirit. To sum that up, Paul asks them – you want to fulfill the law? Then serve one another. Lift one another up. Bear one another’s burdens.
If you have been honored to be the one who is helping someone to find restoration, don’t forget what a privilege it is to walk along side, be their first call, and lead them out of the darkness. Make no mistake – you are not fixing them – only God can truly restore people. We are His support team, yet it is not about us, it is about helping one another, through Him, and in love.
