“Burden Bearing”


BIBLE READING: Galatians 4-Ephesians 2

                One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is generosity of our brethren when it comes to bearing burdens.   Paul reminds the Galatians that by bearing one another’s burdens, they fulfill the law of Christ.  Having others help alleviate our burdens certainly reduces some of the anxiety and stress that comes with daily living.  This blessing is not a license for us to hand over our burdens to the brethren.  Notice the words of Paul, “…let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:4-8) Although Paul wants to encourage us to serve our brethren, he in no way wants us to misunderstand the importance of our own personal responsibility.  We are still responsible for ourselves. Yes, others can help alleviate the load we must carry, but that is not an opportunity for us to turn over our burdens to them.  We still are the ones responsible for what we have sown.  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10).  I am still responsible for myself, yet I also am responsible to go the extra mile and help others as well.

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