Bearing Each Other's Burdens

By Benjamin H. Liles

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

          I was looking at this picture I have up here and it has me thinking. How are we to act and treat someone who wants to give us their burdens? Do we ever truly look or act joyful when someone shares their burdens with us? Well, what about this: how do others act when we share our burdens? 
Paul talks about bearing one another’s burdens in the extent of showing the love of Jesus Christ in order to “Win those not having the law” (1 Corinthians 9:21). What law is Paul talking about? And isn’t it the law that shows us we sin?

          Jesus tells us that part of the Father’s law is to “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 7:12). It doesn’t mean we won't sin, but rather show others that by keeping these laws we honor and obey what He has the Son doing. Remember, this is the same God who gave the blind their sight, allowed the lame to walk, and opened the ears of the deaf. We are to do those same things as to show how we come to Jesus Christ. 

          In Romans Paul says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). By bearing up in love another’s burdens we fulfill the command to love others by cancelling out a debt. There is never a shortage of loving one another, or even in fulfilling the command to love those who sin. 

          The point is to always preach the gospel of Christ showing we all sin, fall short of God’s standards, and explaining why we need Him to begin with. And this is the love with which we are commanded to show and share. And not only that, but to also take joy and bear with one another in as cheerful a manner as possible. "A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength," writes Solomon in Proverbs 17:22.