January 12
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GRACE TO PREACH WITH PASSION AND BOLDNESS
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to become discouraged about my tribulations in your behalf, since they are your glory.
-Ephesians 3:8-13
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We hear Paul’s humility in verse 8 when he says that he is the least of all saints and yet the Lord has given him this wonderful gift to bring God’s plan into action to all the Gentiles. In verse 10, we hear Paul reveal to the Ephesians that such multidimensional wisdom of God. He has given to the church the mystery that has long been kept from many of God’s people. In verse 11, God’s plan is to carry out his eternal purpose for all of mankind and was carried out through Jesus Christ Himself. Only in Christ can we have the boldness and access to confidence by believing in Christ alone. He pleaded the Ephesian not to lose heart. Paul wrote the Letter to the Ephesians from prison. He was imprisoned because on a visit to Jerusalem he had the chance to preach to a big crowd near the temple mount (Acts 21:39-22:22), but since the Jewish crowd could not stand the idea of the good news of the Messiah being extended to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21-22), they had Paul imprisoned.
According to a commentary, Paul tried to figure out the greatness of God’s grace, and started tracking it out as one might track out the shore of a lake. He soon discovered that it wasn’t a lake at all, but an ocean, an immeasurable sea. God’s riches are unsearchable; we will never know them completely. Having been entrusted with such riches, Paul’s passion was to make this gospel known to all people. He wants everybody to see and share in the fellowship of this mystery – which is a mystery precisely because it was unknown and unknowable until God revealed it.
How many believers would do what Paul did under the same circumstances he was in? It was an amazing grace how Paul continued to preach the gospel no matter what.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience when you were on fire to share the gospel to someone?
Monthly Archives: January 2021
BUILT FROM THE CORNERSTONE ILMA’S VLOG
January 10
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BUILT FROM THE CORNERSTONE
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:17-22
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In this verse, we hear Paul talks about the teaching of Jesus on peace. According to a commentary, as they respond to the same gospel, the same peace that is preached to those far off (Gentiles) and those near (Jews). They enjoy the same access to God, access that comes by one Spirit to the Father. Not only are Jews and Gentiles saved by the same gospel, but they also have the same essential walk with God and access to Him. One group does not have a greater access than the other does. Paul refers to Christians of Gentile background. They should not regard themselves as “second-class citizens” in God’s kingdom in any regard. They are not only full citizens, but also full and equal members of God’s household. When conflict arises among Christian groups of different backgrounds, you can be sure that they forget that they were saved by the same gospel and that they have the same access to God. One or both groups usually feel they have superior access to God. Clarke comments that “This text is a plain proof of the Holy Trinity. Jews and Gentiles are to be presented unto God the FATHER; the SPIRIT of God works in their hearts, and prepares them for this presentation; and JESUS CHRIST himself introduces them.”
In verse 20 Paul uses one of the attributes of Jesus. He is the cornerstone in whom each part of his temple is fitted together so that they can be a dwelling or home of God. According to Wood “This corner stone “literally means at the tip of the angle. It refers to the capstone or binding stone that holds the whole structure together… often the royal name was inscribed on it. In the East it was considered to be even more important than the foundation.” Hebrews 13:15 says that the Church is a temple, holy and set apart to God. We serve there as priests, offering the spiritual sacrifices of our lips and hearts, our praises to God
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REFLECTION
• Why do Christians often forget the cornerstone that they have been built on?
THE PRINCE OF PEACE ILMA’S VLOG
January 9
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THE PRINCE OF PEACE
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. -Ephesians 2:13-16
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In this letter of Paul to the Ephesians, we get an understanding of the value of the blood of Christ. You may be asking what is the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. In verse 14, Paul explains to us the two groups which are the law keepers and the one who lives under grace. By dying on the cross, he reconciled all human beings with God. In verse 15, he further tells us that that act of dying on the cross is to crash the walls dividing the Jews and the Gentiles. The objective of the sacrifice on the cross is the reason why our Prince of Peace was sent in the first place. Verse 16 says that reconciliation to God through his death is fulfilled because he now has put aside the hostility and conflict that exists between the two factions.
David Guzik comments on the blood of Jesus as: “Many people suggest different ways to come near to God. Some think you can come by keeping the law or by belonging to a group (such as Israel or even the church). But the only way to be brought near to God is by the blood of Christ. What Jesus did on the cross, suffering as a guilty sinner in the place of guilty sinners, brings us near to God.” Jesus Himself is our peace;
The wall of separation is gone because the common Lordship is greater than any previous division. If the Lordship of Jesus Christ is not greater than any difference you have with others – be it political, racial, economic, language, geography or whatever, then you have not fully understood what it means to be under the Lordship of Jesus. The source of contention between Jew and Gentile was the fact that the Gentiles did not keep the law. But since Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf, and since He bore the penalty for our failure to keep the law, we are reconciled through His work on the cross – putting to death the source of contention.
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REFLECTION
• How has the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross change your life as a believer?
• Why does the world think peace-keeping is the same as peace-making?
BY GRACE ALONE, YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED ILMA’S VLOG
January 8
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BY GRACE ALONE, YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. – Ephesians 2:8-12
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According to an article online, “The gospel message is the good news of God’s grace, so it is important to know what grace is and to constantly seek to get a better view of what grace does in our lives. Grace is an essential part of God’s character. Grace is closely related to God’s benevolence, love, and mercy. Grace can be variously defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving.” In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us abundantly, in spite of the fact that we don’t deserve to be treated so well or dealt with so generously. To fully understand grace, we need to consider who we were without Christ and who we become with Christ. We were born in sin (Psalm 51:5), and we were guilty of breaking God’s holy laws (Romans 3:9–20, 23; 1 John 1:8–10). We were enemies of God (Romans 5:6, 10; 8:7; Colossians 1:21), deserving of death (Romans 6:23a). We were unrighteous (Romans 3:10) and without means of justifying ourselves (Romans 3:20). Spiritually, we were destitute, blind, unclean, and dead. Our souls were in peril of everlasting punishment.
Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that they were saved by God’s grace and they can never boast that they made a contribution for it or take credit for the gift of salvation. It is given to undeserving sinners. Paul reminds them of their lives before they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, they were hopeless. When Christ gave up His life for all undeserving people like us, He changed our standing with God. We are now saved and cleansed of our sins. We can make a fresh new start with God. We have hope in the knowledge that we can be reconciled with God and will have an entirely new beginning. What gracious and generous God we have!
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REFLECTION
• Why do many people miss the true meaning of grace? Why do some people struggle with the concept of grace given to those who believe in Christ?
GOD MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
January 7
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GOD MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST
And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 2:1-7
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In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul recognizes that we are all dead, meaning we are all sinful and have offended God. He reiterates and reminds the believers that we must never forget the state we were in when God gave Jesus to us as a ransom for our sins. In verse 2, he emphasizes our natural bent to disobey and we used to follow the world systems. In verse 3, Paul acknowledges the lusts of man’s flesh who only wants to satisfy its own selfish cravings. The shift from verse 3 to 4 is the difference of our sinful nature to God’s mercy and great love for all of us. In verse 5, he further expounds on the grace given to us even though we don’t deserve such gift of salvation through Christ’s death. In verse 6, Paul talks about the resurrection power that is granted to us as soon as Christ died for us. Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we too, must die to our sinful nature and be resurrected just like Jesus did. Verse 7 manifests the boundless riches of God’ grace and his kindness towards all those who believe in Christ.
When I became born again almost nine years ago, I was spiritually dead because I did not turn my back on sin. I didn’t understand the sacrifice that Jesus did for me to have a clean slate with God. I also failed to comprehend the mercy and great love that was given as a gift so I can be free. I failed to receive and open the gift of grace and mercy. I was so wrapped up in my own drama and traumas that I didn’t know the true nature of God. I am grateful to my Lord and Savior because, when He chose to give me the gift of salvation, I can now have victory over my sinful nature. It doesn’t mean that I will be sinless, it only means that I will not make a habit of sinning. I will choose to be clean and pure for God.
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REFLECTION
• When was the first time you felt so alive in Christ? How did he transform you?
PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION ILMA’S VLOG
January 4
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PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight – Ephesians 1:1-8
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According to David Guzik’s commentary, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different compared to many of the other New Testament letters he wrote. Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. If the Letter to the Romans focuses more on God’s work in the individual Christian, Ephesians includes the great themes of God’s work in the church, the community of believers. Ephesians has many similarities with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Since Paul wrote both of them from his Roman imprisonment, his mind may have worked on the same themes when he wrote each letter.
Paul’s letters always begin with bringing peace that comes from God and Jesus Christ. In verse 3, Paul worships and gives praise to the only source of every spiritual blessing we will ever have, God and given through Christ. In verse 4, we hear Paul repeating the words of Jeremiah 1:4 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” In verse 5, Paul explains the doctrine of spiritual adoption which we were predestined for according to God’s will through His Son, Jesus Christ. In verse 6, we are given the purpose of our lives, to bring God all the glory through His beloved Son. In other words, we can never give God worship if we don’t believe in Christ. Verse 7 explains the doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All sins are forgiven through Him. Verse 8 gives us a vignette of God’s great lavishing of His love for us all though the wisdom and insight He gave us through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.
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REFLECTION
• Why are Christian doctrines important in the life of a believer?
PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION ILMA’S VLOG
January 4
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PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight – Ephesians 1:1-8
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According to David Guzik’s commentary, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different compared to many of the other New Testament letters he wrote. Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. If the Letter to the Romans focuses more on God’s work in the individual Christian, Ephesians includes the great themes of God’s work in the church, the community of believers. Ephesians has many similarities with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Since Paul wrote both of them from his Roman imprisonment, his mind may have worked on the same themes when he wrote each letter.
Paul’s letters always begin with bringing peace that comes from God and Jesus Christ. In verse 3, Paul worships and gives praise to the only source of every spiritual blessing we will ever have, God and given through Christ. In verse 4, we hear Paul repeating the words of Jeremiah 1:4 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” In verse 5, Paul explains the doctrine of spiritual adoption which we were predestined for according to God’s will through His Son, Jesus Christ. In verse 6, we are given the purpose of our lives, to bring God all the glory through His beloved Son. In other words, we can never give God worship if we don’t believe in Christ. Verse 7 explains the doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All sins are forgiven through Him. Verse 8 gives us a vignette of God’s great lavishing of His love for us all though the wisdom and insight He gave us through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.
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REFLECTION
• Why are Christian doctrines important in the life of a believer?
BOAST IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD ILMA’S VLOG
January 3
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BOAST IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. -Galatians 6:11-18
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According to sources, Paul’s custom, typical in the ancient world, was to dictate his letters to a secretary. But he would often personally write a short portion at the end, both to authenticate the letter and to add a personal touch. Paul points out that he wrote his postscript with large letters. Many speculate this was because he had poor eyesight and could not read or write small print. But it is more likely that he made the letters large simply for emphasis. Stott comments “Most commentators consider that he used large letters deliberately, either because he was treating his readers like children (rebuking their spiritual immaturity by using baby writing) or simply for emphasis… much as we would use capital letters or underline words today.” Paul here referred to the legalistic Christians among the Galatians and wrote frankly about their motive – to make a good showing in the flesh. They worked to bring the Galatian Christians from a Gentile background under circumcision because it would be a good showing for them – but a good showing in the flesh. In verse 14, Paul’s heart cared nothing for the glory that came from fame. He cared nothing for the glory that came from riches. He cared nothing for the glory that came from status and power among men. He only cared about the glory of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Paul was willing to pronounce a curse on those who taught false doctrines (Galatians 1:8-9), he was also willing to give a blessing to those who walk according to this rule. These are those who are the true Israel of God, the descendants of Abraham according to faith.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we only boast in the cross of Christ as believers?
WHAT ONE SOWS, ONE REAPS ALSO ILMA’S VLOG
January 2
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WHAT ONE SOWS, ONE REAPS ALSO
6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. -Galatians 6:6-10
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Luther comments “If we carefully weigh the words of Paul, the apostle, we perceive that he does not speak of doctrinal faults and errors, but of much lesser faults by which a person is overtaken through the weakness of his flesh. This explains why the Apostle chooses the softer term ‘fault.’ To minimize the offense still more, as if he meant to excuse it altogether and to take the whole blame away from the person who has committed the fault, he speaks of him as having been ‘overtaken,’ seduced by the devil and of the flesh”
Another commentary says that this job of restoration is often neglected in the church. We have a tendency to either pretend the sin never happened, or we tend to react too harshly towards the one who has sinned. The balance between these two extremes can only be negotiated by the spiritual. It should be normal to do what God says here, but it isn’t. It is all too easy to respond to someone’s sin with gossip, harsh judgment, or undiscerning approval.
In verse 1, Paul stresses the importance of the accountability between disciples. In verse 2, Paul emphasizes the importance of the law of sowing and reaping told by Jesus in Mark 4:26-29. He cautions the Galatians to ensure that they shouldn’t expect anything that they haven’t sown. In verse 8, he explains that if one sows what the flesh wants, he will reap destruction but quite the opposite if a person sows to the Spirit. They will reap eternal life instead. Verse 9 is a warning to be persistent in doing good so that discouragement won’t take over and make one hopeless and frustrated. In verse 10, he also reminds us to care for others but most especially to those who belongs in faith.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people have a discrepancy from what they expect and what they are actually sowing?
• What have you sown in the Spirit that you are now reaping in your life?
BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDEN & BEAR YOUR OWN LOAD ILMA’S VLOG
January 1
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BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDEN & BEAR YOUR OWN LOAD
6 Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load. – Galatians 6:1-5
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In this letter to the Galatians, Paul emphasizes the responsibility of believers to others, whether they are new in the faith or have been spiritual for long. In verse 1, the act of confrontation with a spirit of gentleness is expected from every Christian. It is the responsibility of those who are more spiritually mature to correct and bring truth those who are in error. But it is important to do it in love and a spirit of kindness and calmness so that you may not be tempted to think highly of yourself.
In verse 2, we hear Paul state the second most important command that Christ summed up from the Law in Matthew 22:36-40 when his disciples asked Him which was the greatest commandments. Paul expounded the second command to take care of your neighbor as yourself. Here, he asks each believer to be present for each other helping each other carry one another’s burdens. It is a way to fulfill the law of Christ. It is a manifestation that you love one another just as Jesus commanded.
In verse 3, Paul cautions the importance of looking after each other so that we do not fall into the dangerous trap of thinking highly of ourselves which can make us proud or think we are better than others. In verse 4, he reminds us to closely examine what we do for each other so that we can be free from boasting to others. He says that we can only boast to ourselves quietly, but not to one another. I think, Paul is guarding our hearts from being haughty and full of ourselves that is why he admonished us to keep it to ourselves. Words are very powerful and if we say out loud our boastings, it may affect others differently and cause them to sin as well. Verse 5 reminds us to set boundaries to ourselves and others. We can share our burdens but not to a point of being irresponsible and not accountable for our own roles and responsibilities. If we cross this boundary, we are in violation of the laws of order that God has placed in all of His creation.
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REFLECTION
• What results from bearing each other’s burdens and bearing our own as well?