Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Galatians 4-6
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Three verses later Paul states, For every man shall bear his own burden. This is one of those Biblical teachings wherein both sides of one coin are highlighted.
On one side of the coin there is the command to bear one another’s burdens. Paul seemed to touch on this same concept in his letter to the Corinthians writing, And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (I Corinthians 12:26) In the body of the local church especially, and among the entire family of God in general terms, our Father expects His children to bear one another’s burdens.
Consider a fellow member of your church struggling with a physical burden. You see that brother or sister in Christ in your town trying to carry an overwhelming physical load. They are doing their best, but the struggle is mighty and difficult. No doubt, any child of God would lend a helping hand. After all, “many hands make light work” right! So, you help out.
There is an old story of a young lieutenant in the continental army. There was a huge tree laying across a remote road that would be a hindrance to the marching mass of soldiers that needed to pass thereby. The young lieutenant was in the road barking orders at his men commanding they move that heavy tree. The rank-and-file soldiers did not have enough strength to accomplish the task. Soon a high-ranking officer came upon the scene, dismounted, took his overcoat off, put his shoulder to the tree and told the men on the count of three everyone give their utmost saying, “We will move this obstacle from our path.” They did. Then they all noticed the officer that helped was none other than George Washington. He strode over to the embarrassed lieutenant and said, “The next time you need an obstacle moved, call the commander in chief.” Or something to that effect. Who in this story bore the other’s burden. The lieutenant or the commander in chief?
Then there is the side of the coin wherein Paul states clearly that every person shall bear their own burden. Yes, it is great, wonderful, and a mighty blessing when others help with a burden. But it is still your burden. A heavy load that you must carry. Think about personal sin. That is a burden that while others may sympathize, empathize or otherwise help to unload your burden. It is still your burden, your personal responsibility to deal with, overcome, confess, forsake, and live in light of whatever unwanted consequences may result.
Bearing one another’s burdens and bearing one’s own burdens are both difficult. The former takes mercy, grace, love, time, patience, humility and sometimes sacrifice. All on behalf of others. The latter takes the all the same but on behalf of self. Many find it easier to bear another’s burdens than their own. This to their personal peril. For no matter how much we may do for another, there are still our own burdens to be borne. Consider forgiveness. It seems far easier to forgive others than to forgive oneself. But both are necessary. Both ease the weight of the heavy burden of sin and guilt.
These two sides of this one coin (burden bearing) are inextricably linked, meaning they cannot be separated. For the one who bears another’s burdens must first bear their own, and by knowing how to bear one’s own burden they have the ability to instruct on how to help others carry theirs. Two sides of a coin, but one great act of faith through which everyone’s burdens are lessened so that they can be cleared.
If there is a burden crossing your path that you just simply cannot move. Call on the Commander in Chief. He can and will make your burden light. After all He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Dr. William T. Howe
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