AC ENERGIZED AND EQUIPPED TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS PP. 135-140.

God instructs us to bear one another’s burdens in His household and to help lift one another up when
we need it. Our goal is always to uplift, to strengthen and encourage, and to edify. The Christian walk –
living the Word – is a group activity.

Gal 6:2

“Bear ye one another’s burdens” – Living in this world, we all face the need for help at times so that we
can effectually walk for God. This exhortation to help one another is stated a different way in Romans.

Romans 15:1,2

“we then that are strong [mature] ought to bear the infirmities of the weak [immature] – As born again
believers, each of us is equipped with longsuits and abilities that can benefit the Body of Christ. Were w
e are weak, another is strong and can strengthen us to walk effectively and boldly in the truth. Where
we are strong and vigorous, we can render assistance to others.

Mature: more loving, giving.

Our focus is not ourselves but others, get our eyes out of ourselves.

Galatians 6:2

“Bear ye one another’s burdens” – “burdens” here is translated from the Greek word Baros, meaning a
heavy weight whose pressure may be relieved or lightened by another. The greatest burdens people
face are not necessarily physical burdens, but mental and emotional ones. Our privilege is to do what we
can to ease the load of thers, to lighten their weight and free them to walk for God.

“So fulfil the law of Christ” – The law of Christ is the law of love [John 13:34]. If we are to do the works of
Jesus Christ, we are to love one another with the love of God, as Christ loved us. [I John 4:20, 21] it is
this love of God that energizes our willingness and desire to bear the burdens of others in the household
of God [Galatians 5:13,14].

No service is onerous if done out of love. To help lift burdens often costs us little yet helps much. As we
put on the mind of Christ, we develop a compassion and concern for God’s people and a desire to help
them strengthen themselves.

Jesus Christ taught people the heart of God’s Word. He showed that God is love and light and life. He
used his God-given authority and power for edification, not destruction. In contrast to putting burdens
on individuals, he preached deliverance and set at liberty those who were broken under the oppressive
yoke of wrong teaching.

As we are faithful to speak the truth in love, presenting the light of the true doctrine and practice of
God’s Word, we will help lift those heavy burdens from those who are hungering and thirsting after god.

Sometimes people are burdened down by their own si-consciousness, their broken fellowship, or
thoughts of inadequacy or unworthiness. If not alleviated, these thoughts can pile up and be
burdensome. Ignorance and fear due to wrong teaching or lack of instruction are also burdens people
wrestle with. The old-man nature, nurtured by experiences and environment and culture, is a burden
that believers are consistently putting off as they learn to put on the new man.
From time to time, we all need help in bearing these burdens so that the cares and desires of this world
do not choke the Word in us, causing us to become unfruitful.

Jesus Christ was the prototype burden-bearer of all time.

John 19:16,17

“bearing his cross” – The cross that Jesus bore was composed of our sins and our transgressions. He
took all the faults that were against us – the transgressions, the sins, the bondage, the sickness, and the
pain – and made them part of his cross.

He carried our burdens so that we would be free to help others. Jesus joyfully made himself a servant
and taught his disciples to live a life of service and commitment in love. One of the last lessons he gave
his disciples on the night of his arrest was about service. John 13:12-16, Jesus Christ performed this
humble task for his disciples and thereby set an example of love, service, and humility. Jesus totally
broke with custom to show the extent of the love of God they were to have in their lives.

He was teaching this principle that in attitude of heart his followers should be like bondslaves. Believers
should be willing to do the lowliest task in order to bless each other. Jesus Christ serve according to the
eastern customs of his day; we serve according to our culture today.