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?