bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [galatians 6:2]
one of the most impactful ways to build one another up is to “bear one another’s burdens”. that is:
- when you pray for your sister when she can not pray, you build her up by bearing her burden.
- when help another work thru forgiveness, we build them up by bearing this burden with them.
- when you walk another from shame to grace, you build them up by bearing this burden with them.
- when you walk with a brother thru a long sickness, you build him up by bearing his burden.
we build up, strengthen, encourage, and ultimately help others see and know more of Jesus as we bear their burdens – taking them to the very presence of Jesus. the word says, as we do this we fulfill the “law of Christ.” what is the “law of Christ?” earlier in galatians the Spirit tells us thru paul, “for the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [galatains 5:14] what a powerful thing! we get to live out the whole of the law, every word, that portrays the very character and heart of Jesus in the law … as we bear one another’s burdens.
which begs the question – whose burdens are you bearing, and so fulfilling the law of Christ?
that is:
- who are you bearing up in prayer?
- who are you bearing up in mercy?
- who are you bearing up in grace?
- who are you bearing up in comfort?
it is the call of your Savior, it is his will, it is his heart, it is his deep desire for you and i – to bear one another’s burdens.
Lord, i long to follow you with all i am. i long to do your will. i long to fulfill your heart’s desire for me. yet, i confess, bearing burdens as you ask – is beyond me. i need your love. i need your power. i need you! come Holy Spirit, fill me and empower me with your love. show me today, show me right now whose burdens i can bear. in the powerful name of the one who bore my burdens – Jesus – amen!
~ john ryan