Bearing One Another's Burdens : Added By Debra Lynn-Lake Roberts
There is a great difference in reading the Word vs applying the Word and
allowing it to LIVE in us and through us. One of the things that I see
is a whole lot of people preaching the Word but not LIVING it out! One
area this is evident in is "bearing one another’s burdens”. I found this
article that explains exactly what I am referring to and want to share
it with you to encourage you to not only learn what it means but to
apply it to the next opportunity you are given to truly LOVE your
neighbor. That neighbor might be half way around the world, but when God
tugs at your heart to help someone who needs it, DO IT, show them by
your ACTIONS how much you LOVE them!!!
Bearing One Another's Burdens Galatians 6:1-5
If you are looking for a way to carry out Christ's command to love your
neighbor, Paul has a suggestion: bear their burdens. At some point,
everyone struggles under the weight of an oppressive situation.
Believers have an obligation to get under that load next to their
brothers and sisters. Jesus sets the pattern for burden bearing. He
calls to Himself all who are heavy-laden and gives them rest (Matt.
11:28-29). Since God predestines believers to be conformed to Christ's
likeness, we must imitate His care and concern for those who suffer.
Acts 4:32 shows that the early church followed His example. To lift the
load of poverty, they pooled their resources so that no one was in need.
Paul's letters make clear his concern for the physical and
spiritual welfare of growing churches. He fasted and prayed for them and
sent missionaries when he could. He felt it was his responsibility to
strengthen them, even though he sustained a personal hardship--his thorn
in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7). A believer cannot wait until his life
is clear of obstacles before reaching out to others, since that day may
never come. Even though we have our own needs, we can do all things
through Christ's strength--including sharing someone else's adversity (2
Cor. 12:9). When you're willing to wade into someone else's
troubles to help that person hold up under the weight, two things
happen. First, he or she receives desperately needed blessings in the
form of aid, support, and love. And second, you fulfill God's command to
love a neighbor as yourself. Granted permission for personal use---Copyright 2011 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org.
