Day 12: That we would bear one another’s burdens
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)
I see two admonitions in this passage. One of them is to be the type of person who will bear the burdens of a struggling brother. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul mentions those who are “weak” and he encourages others to “help” them. The words used there bring to mind the concept of being the legs of the legless. This, in part, is what it means to shoulder the load of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The other person in this text is the one who has the heavy load he is lifting. He too has an admonition in this verse. We must drop our self-reliance and realize that we have brothers and sisters in the church who God has sovereignly ordained to help us. And so we truly are called to bear one another’s burdens. We are in this together. When you hurt, I hurt. When you are overjoyed, I’m overjoyed.
Father, I thank you for giving us the church. Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for me. Thank you for those who willing shoulder some of my load. Help me to be vulnerable and to allow people to help. In the same way, help me be a conduit of your grace and care. Give me the strength to bear the burdens that my brothers and sisters face. May we fight sin together and with one heart and mind grab hold of Christ—who is our portion forever. Amen.
