Carry Each Others Burdens

copyright 2010Patrick Dirden

Carry Each Others Burdens. Galatians 6:1-5

I haven’t watched much of the TV show American Idol, but I’ve seen enough to know that one of the judges, Simon, enjoys tearing people down. He’s not afraid to speak his mind, and he does so in a very direct way.

Now, while most of us will never have to face a harsh and relentless critic like Simon, many of us have experienced the guilt and brokenness that comes from sin or we’re struggling to bear the burdens that come from life itself. Unfortunately, the church is sometimes the last place where we can find friends who will help carry our burdens. Instead of hearing words of comfort and encouragement from fellow Christians, those who are closest to us sometimes say things that hurt us the most.

God gives us four relationship responsibilities in Galatians 6:1-5.

1. Restore the broken. Look at verse 1, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.

In other words, restoration is an integral and necessary part of the healing process. If someone has experienced dislocation, or brokenness, or has been torn apart by sin, they need someone who will come alongside in order to lift them up. God Himself is in the restoration business as we read in Ezekiel 34:16: “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.”

2. Relieve the Burdened.  The idea behind this task is that we all have burdens and God does not want us to carry them alone. Look at verse 2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we help the hurting, we are fulfilling the law of Christ, which is summed up in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

3. Remove our pride. The Scripture is so perceptive and direct when it comes to human nature. God knows that you and I will not restore the broken or relieve the burdened if we’re too full of ourselves. Verses 3-4 challenge us to remove our pride, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to anybody else…” When you see your brother or sister suffering, don’t be too arrogant to get involved.

It’s so easy for us to look down our noses and say things like:

“They deserve it.”

“They’re so weak.”

“He just can’t handle the pressure.”

“I saw it coming.”

“Maybe they’ll listen to me next time.”

“I don’t want to get involved.”

“I’m just glad it’s them and not me.”

“I know I would never do something like that.”

4: Respect Your Boundaries. Verse 5, “For each one should carry his own load.” We should help each other with the big burdens of life, but there are personal responsibilities that each person must bear for himself. The New Living Translation captures what it means to respect boundaries in verse 5, “For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” There are times when you have to pull back until the other person begins to take responsibility for what is theirs alone.