“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Think about these words for a moment or two. The LAW of Christ. That’s serious business!!! And how do we fulfill it? By bearing one another’s burdens. Clearly, this is very important for Christ followers. It isn’t optional (and it isn’t convenient).
However, we must understand what a burden is, biblically speaking. After all, 3 verses later it says that each person has to bear their own load. So, what’s the difference between the load we must bear by ourselves and the burdens we must help each other bear?
A person’s load is the ordinary obligations of life… Working to provide for themselves and their family. Raising their children in the Lord and ensuring they are educated. Paying their taxes. Navigating normal amounts of illness, injury, and pain. Loving God and neighbor. Making disciples. These are things that every person must simply embrace in the Lord.
So, what’s a burden? Something above and beyond the ordinary. Burdens are those things in life that are simply too much for a person to carry alone. The things that can grind a person down or even break them. Chronic illnesses. Disabilities. Tragedies. Broken relationships. Persecution. Disasters. Dire and unexpected financial blows.
Every Christian is called to help one another with their burdens. To encourage and strengthen one another. To assist, meet needs, love, and pray for one another. It isn’t optional. It is the fulfillment of the law of Christ. #FollowJesus