In Bible study tonight we were not able to reach the second part, therefore I will save that for another post (coming next Monday). We talked a lot about how each of us deals with bearing each other's burdens and how we are called as Christians to handle such situations.
I want to think that I handle those tough situations well, but I know in reality I handle them very poorly and do not reflect Christ.
First we talked about the difference in a legalist and a freed man taking on the burden of another. The legalist will be self centered, prideful, and full of condemnation. The freed man will be Christ centered, meek, and humble. The legalist will add to the burden, where the freed man will demand more of himself to make the burden lighter. Reconciliation to the freed man will be seen as winning a soul, where as from a legalist it will be seen as winning an argument.
A realization that we came to is that it is Biblical to call fellow Christians out but it is also hard, painful, and takes time. A great analogy was it is like getting a broken bone. A bone must be set back in place and this is very painful, but once it is set it can begin to heal and function according to its purpose. A Christian in the wrong must be called out in a Biblical way. This may be painful, but once "reset" they can begin to heal and function in the way Christ intended.
The purpose of calling out is not to point out who is wrong and who is right; it is to journey together and bear each other's burdens. We are called to share in each others burdens in "one anotherness."
In the verses we read, there are two very different uses for the word "burden." This can be seen by differing translations, or the original context of the word. In verse 2, "burden" is defined as "a heavy burden," contrasting to verse 5 where "burden" is defined as "a soldier's load." With these two different meanings we see that there are some things that we cannot carry for each other, much like a soldier must carry his own pack, but we are called to be there for them on the journey, every step of the way, sharing the burdens of life.
How do you carry the burdens of others? Do you take them to the Lord, or take them upon yourself? To be honest, I sometimes, rather, often times, revert to trying to carry the load myself. I tend to ignore taking the burden to God and try to carry it myself. I try and carry my own burdens (because they shouldn't be anyone else's problem) and the burdens of others. in doing this I am sinning in two significant ways. I am not sharing my burdens, nor am I bearing the burden of others through Christ. It is at these times when I want to run away from all the burdens and hide. I see my self doing this by withdrawing from friends who are having a hard time that I cannot fix, or just trying to ignore problems that are screaming out at me from every angle. I think about it this way and want to cry out to God in repentance that I have turned from Him. I should never try to carry my own burdens without Christ, nor anyone else's. It is so shameful for me to turn from my friends when they are seeking someone to help them with their burden because I am too selfish to take their burden to God. What kind of a friend is that? I must daily remind myself that we must do nothing out of pride or contempt.
Seeing such truths are hard, but without seeing them life is even harder. I am forever grateful that God loves me despite me. I get in His way so much. I am so thankful for Christ, His love, His mercy, and His grace.
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