Bearing One Another

Bear One Another
by David Brenneman

Two are always at least involved...at a minimum.  My brother, upon getting into some mischief, often brought it up that you can't blame one you got to blame both. So often both of us got some form of reprimand or punishment for both of us getting into something we shouldn't have.

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. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. For each one will bear his own load.  The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 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. Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. 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 6:1-10 NASB

Most like to go to the part of bearing one another's burdens, and to be honest I can see it in people when they try to avoid that verse.  

Two need to be involved, not just one when it comes to this command, not suggestion, from God.

When someone does share a burden, we're not to look the other way, not to be dismissive, not to sigh inwardly.  We're to respond as Christ would to such things.  Not compulsory either.  

Jesus willingly became a servant of all.  His disciples didn't get it at the time but did later.  He said so when they protested.  Question for you is: Do you get it?

I've been in situations at various churches over the years where I've brought up a prayer request and there actually was an audible response akin to "again?".  

We read in 1 Samuel 16:7 NASB "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.".

Do you get that and how it impacts Galatians 6's words on bearing one another's burdens?

Those with the burdens should never have the added burden of being shamed because of pouring out their hearts before other believers.

God knows your heart.  He knows my heart.  He knows everyone's heart.  That should be very sobering.

We're to be imitator's of Christ.  We were told in the Great Commission to teach others ALL that He commanded.  There's no additional verse that mentions Him ever having 'strong suggestions' that are up to you to follow.  

When you hear of someone's burdens how do you react?   

Are you the variety of individual who deep down really really is crying out "OH PLEASE NOT ME! DO NOT PICK ME!!"  And then you discover that God has INDEED picked you.

As a servant of Christ, our job is to do whatever it is He puts before us to do.  

When we wake up in the morning's if we're so blessed to wake up the next morning...our first reaction ought to be of thanks.  The next ought to be to let Jesus know that we're willing and ready to obey.  Ready to do whatever He's got in mind for us to be doing.   I'd like to lay claim to even some portion of that bit of Godly wisdom but it was from a video clip from long long ago of a Pastor whom I have no idea who he was.  But those were what he shared with the audience of his daily morning routine.

Bearing one another is supposed to be in the joy of Christ.  Never with a "here we go again".

In forgiving others, someone tried getting an 'out' with Jesus.  How many times must I forgive my brother? 7 times?  Jesus said no, 70 times 7.  For as long as it takes and for whatever it takes. 

It's basically the same with serving and with giving.  Many preachers have and some will testify to the fact that we cannot out-give God.  To the extent that Christ served, we certainly cannot out serve either.

When someone shares a prayer request with you...do you say that you WILL pray for them or do you stop and pray right there?   Most often if we say we WILL pray...we more often than not get distracted from doing so.  

Being intentional is only good when we follow through.  

Bearing one another does more for us in most cases than it does with the one needing the help.

It grows both in Christ.  

Read that part in Galatians on how God is not mocked...then re-read that one from 1 Samuel..and you will fully understand why.   He knows your heart. He knows my heart.  We may deceive ourselves because of our sin nature, but He always always always knows our heart.

When we let how others might view us keep us from serving, then we've got another problem. 

Jesus was their Master, yet He girded up Himself and proceeded to wash the disciples feet.  

Read that carefully. He didn't care what they thought, He was going to do it anyway AND He wanted them to do it for each other AND the new disciples they would make.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  This too ties in with bearing one another's burdens.  

If we strictly went by our own understanding, NOTHING would get done for Jesus.  We have to learn the work of the Spirit of God by listening to and obeying the Spirit.  We have to know the voice of God.

Jesus said My sheep know My voice.

As a follower of Christ, His is the only opinion who ought to matter.  Does it with you?

Some of the strangest things get done when we do obey.  A lady testified that she promised God that no matter what He would ask her to do, she would do it the next time she was needed.  She got it from God to go into a particular gas station, go up the shake machine and do a hand-stand in front of it.  The need to do so was very overpowering and she remembered she DID give her word.  So she goes to that gas station, there's only one person there, the attendant. She smiles, says hello and goes up to that machine and does that hand-stand.  He sees her do it.  She gets back on her feet and is about to go when he stops her to ask her why she did it.  So she told him.  He put the gun down on the counter that he had.  As odd as it may sound he had prayed along the lines of God proving something to him by having someone come in and do what she just did.  He had plans on killing himself that night. 

You do not know what your act of obedience, no matter how big or how small in bearing one another's burdens will do in light of eternity.  But I can tell you that when we don't, WE lose the blessing and more often than not, someone else will get a blessing by living out obedience. 

Another aspect that people miss is indeed blessings bestowed upon them. God blesses them in various ways and instead of holding back and preparing to bless others, they spend whatever on themselves.

Thus missing out on continuing the blessing given to them.  Many times we get so easily side-tracked and forget to thank God.  

Be ready to bless when you get blessed.  Be ready to bless someone and NOT hear a thank you.  

That's on them not on you.  Bless them anyway.

Jesus said to count yourself blessed when people say, think or do things to you on account of living for Him.  

Maybe the best prayer for you tonight or today is to pray that God changes your heart attitude for the better, so that you have the obedient heart that He's looking for.