Helping those with burdens.

Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

The Lord Jesus Christ has a commandment for all believers; "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34. Yes He said for us to love one another and this is not a suggestion but rather a commandment. And as we look here at Galatians 6:2 we are instructed to bear the burdens of other believers. Sometimes we are quick to condemn our brethren for act of unrighteousness but beloved let us all understand there is a time for church action and a time to love and help those in need. The Lord calls this "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time means buying the time or buy this opportunity. When the Lord gives us opportunity to help our brethren in their time of need then that is our opportunity to redeem the time. If we have a brother or sister in need of spiritual help then that is our opportunity to spiritually help them because of our love for our brothers and sisters. Sometimes (for many reasons) we tend to jump to a conclusion and cause a great divide between ourselves and therefore failing to buy our opportunity to help those with a burden and failing to redeem our time. The Lord gave us the right as a church to bring certain one before the church for expulsion but only if they neglect to hear the warnings and refuse to accept our help, however there should be much love and kindness given first. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be much patience given by some to help bear their brothers burdens. Patience is a virtue in that it comes with experience and growth as a Christian. With this being said let us see what the Lord says; “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:15. Isn’t it our prayer that God be patient with us? “The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” Matthew 18:26, Thank God He is not as quick on condemnation as we sometimes are. Beloved we are all in the same world and sometimes the very same temptation in life and although we may not all react the same we are all subject too. Beloved no Christian is above sin and not all will fall to the same temptation but in this life we will all fail in something. So next time a fellow Christian fails to over come temptation and has some spiritual burdens in life, then help them bear those burdens, and if the time for expulsion presents itself then as a church do what you must. I know as a Pastor there have been time when I have been quick to bring some before the church and I also must learn to be more patient with those who simply need more love and help. Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

“…and so fulfil the law of Christ.” This is the law of Christ in that it is what He taught us all to do. We all who are Christians seek to fulfill His law and this one is no exception. The key to fulfilling this law is love "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Galatians 5:14. Beloved sometimes when one falls it brings a great amount of disappointment to us however as we quickly overcome our disappointment then it is time to bear their burdens with them and redeem the time that God has given us opportunity too. Let us not forget the church is a body and when one member of that body suffers the rest of the body also suffers. We must tend to the hurting arm before you exclude it from the body. 1 Corinthians 12:26 “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”