Bear one another's burdens

Galatians 6:1-4: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

If there was a group of scriptures that explained the way a Christ-follower should act and behave it would be these penned by Paul. We as the body of Christ have been seen as a loving and caring group of people. We preach words such as, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 Furthermore, we also preach that, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

We as Christ-followers should be in the business of love. The words that Paul has written are the practical application to the theoretical statement that Christians should embody the attitude of Christ. If we are truly to be the hands and feet of Christ then we need to operate in that mode without hypocrisy. Since we say we are of Him we need to act like it.

This scripture speaks of restoring a sinful man with gentleness, bearing one another’s burdens, and being mindful of our own condition. These are the marks of a person who is filled and being led by the Holy Spirit. We should be the Jesus that people see. Our actions and our behavior should show the world that there is something different about us. If I say I am a Christian and do not act the way that the scriptures tell me to, then I not only dishonor God and His word, I also dishonor the very people I say I am trying to reach with the Gospel. Why would they want to believe a message I say if I do not believe it? That is exactly what we do when we say we are Christ-followers, yet fail to behave like it.

Application – Your beliefs will bear witness to your witness, your walk will match your talk.

Challenge – Bear somebody’s burden today and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Isaiah 16-18 New Testament Ephesians 1