Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Summary: The “law of Christ” is all-encompassing. Carrying the burdens of others is something Jesus does well, and we should, too.
When you think of carrying someone else’s burdens, what does that mean to you?
Any mothers reading this might think it means carrying a big purse! (The well-equipped Mom Purse has things for everyone in the family, from sunscreen to snacks.) For the rest of us and moms, too, Paul might have something else in mind.
Paul tells us that carrying each other’s burdens fulfills the “law of Christ.” The “law” that comes to mind is what Jesus called the “greatest Commandment.” When asked about this:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22: 37-39)
We know from his other teachings that Jesus had something specific in mind when he referred to our “neighbor.” When he tells the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37), he paints a picture of what he means by “neighbor.”
This brings us to an interesting point.
Jesus wants us to be his hands and feet in the world. He wants his love to shine forth like a beacon of light in a dark place. When believers love unbelievers (carry their burdens), God is glorified.
But Paul is not writing to unbelievers. Paul is writing to the church.
If we are gracious and good to the ungrateful and unbelieving, how much more should we seek to help those who are brothers and sisters in Christ?
Application: Be mindful of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Food for Thought: What kinds of burdens do you think Paul had in mind?
What kinds of burdens do you think Paul had in mind?
Matthew 20:28, Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45, John 13:1-17
Jesus Himself said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28
Galatians 6:2, We are encouraged to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
I once saw a man struggling under the weight of two heavy bags, and I asked him if I could help, he replied,YES, and immediately handed me both bags. I carried them to his destination and discovered both bags were filled with items he was giving to others. Over the years that followed, we became close friends.
Jesus came to earth to serve mankind, gave His life to pay the price for the sins of mankind, and today resides in the hearts of believers by the power of the Holy Spirit, who empowers all believers to continue the ministry of Jesus as He serves mankind through us.
They may be physical burdens, they may be spiritual burdens. I believe we begin with those we see, and the Lord will lead us as He ministers to the unseen.
Ron,
I love your story about the two bags!! 🙂 Thank you!
And yes… the Lord will lead us if we listen and follow.
I found this question hard to answer. In the context of the passage, I believe Paul is speaking about unrepented sin. I think that sounds very “hardline”, but I also believe that unrepented sin manifests itself in many ways in a person’s life. Anger, resentment, malice, anxiety, fear and uncertainty are a few that I can think of. So I think when Paul talks about bearing each others burdens he is speaking about helping others recognize those burdens and lead them to the source of those burdens. That may look like just listening to them vent to you and then offering them the truth in love, so that the power of Christ’s redemption can free them. It may look like taking on someone else’s responsibility in a small or greater measure until they are able to take it back from you. In both cases, one would do these things because they are grateful to the Father for His grace in their own life, and because they love the other enough to sacrifice something about themselves in order to help the other person find redemption in God’s grace.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Chris,
Very interesting insight! Thank you!!