Bear

Galatians 6:2 NAS Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Fitness races are all the rage, with estimates of almost 1,000,000,000 participants per year worldwide. Ironman Triathlons, Tough Mudder, and Savage races present participants with physical and mental challenges to test their agility, strength, and endurance. However, one race in particular, the Ruck Races, also challenges participants to shoulder heavy loads through cities, mountains, jungles, and deserts—alone when they must, but together whenever possible. Sharing the burden of heavy loads with the entire team is the calling of every Christ-follower.

So what does it mean to “bear one another’s burdens”? The first step is to be aware that someone is struggling with the weight of an issue or life challenge, and this requires relationship. Our modern culture has become skilled at avoiding real relationships. We fence our yards, secure our homes, and limit our interactions with people to shallow, light conversations, never getting down to the nitty-gritty of life. If we do ask someone how they are doing, we don’t really want or expect a deep, truthful answer. Should they begin to share their struggles with health, family, or career, we will quickly begin to step backwards and withdraw, fearful they expect us to be the solution. When we do this, we doubt God’s ability to “meet every need according to his riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19).

God calls us to build and nurture relationships with one another. “So I give you a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you.” (John 13:34). One of the beautiful things about being a Christ-follower is we are adopted into the family of God and are never alone. God intentionally connects you with other believers to strengthen, encourage, and bear each other’s burdens. In Exodus 17, the Israelites were in a battle. When Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but when his arms grew tired and he lowered his hands, the enemy was winning. Aaron and Hur stood with Moses and held his arms up to see the Israelites victorious. Even Jesus, after being whipped and tortured by Roman soldiers, had his cross carried by Simon of Cyrene. We need one another.

When Peter and John were headed to the temple for afternoon prayers, they did not go looking to enter a relationship with the nameless, lame beggar. They could have easily ignored his pleas as they were on their way to perform their Christian duties. But when confronted with the reality of this man’s struggles, they did not look away or slip to the side. They immediately knew it was not in themselves to solve his seemingly impossible situation; “silver and gold have I none,” but they served a God whose “arm is not too powerless to save nor his ear too deaf to hear” (Isaiah 59:1). Ironically, Peter and John never made it to the afternoon prayers. God showed up in a powerful way when they took the time to bear the beggar’s burden. God appears to be far more glorified by our willingness to enter relationship and bear another’s burden than by our religious activities.

“And thus fulfill the law of Christ.” When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees about the greatest commandment, His answer was not about activities or duties but relationship. “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.” The parable of the good Samaritan showed us that our neighbor was anyone, even a stranger, who was in need.

It’s not you but the Lord that will meet their needs. God simply wants to use you as the conduit to bring His blessings on others. Do not fear relationship, lift their tired arms, and see God move in your life and theirs.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Psalms 55:22 NLT Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Luke 11:46 NAS But Jesus said, woe to you scribes and Pharisees as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Romans 15:1 NAS Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NAS We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

1 John 5:2-3 NLT We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

John 13:34-35 NLT So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

Galatians 5:13-14 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 8:1-2 TPT So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. For the law of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the law of sin and death.

James 2:8 ESV If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.

John 13:12-17 ESV When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

1 Peter 2:24 TPT He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.