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40 DAYS OF LENT: DAY #19
WORD OF TODAY: Galatians 6:2-4 (ESV)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:
The verses before us today are embedded in a wealth of instruction found in the chapter from which they come. The first verse is a reminder of the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. We bear one another’s burdens, we help carry the load because we are yoked, one to another, as disciples of Christ Jesus, by whom we are yoked. It may be possible, sometimes likely, that we resist the weight of another’s yoke and do not equally bear another’s burden. Take a moment to reflect on someone close to you today that carries a burden. How might you help them with their load?
The reason we might avoid bearing another’s burden could be because of pride, or spiritual weakness, or as we have previously seen-improper judgment. No matter the reason, it is all in one way or another deception.
Do you look at someone in need and think “they brought this on themselves” or “they got themselves into this so they can get themselves out”. It is true that loving another will at times require the Christian to give another room to choose, it is also true that at times another’s burdens become too heavy for them to climb out. No matter the reason, they need help getting out.
Reflect today on why you might think you are not under the same burden as your neighbor who is. What did you do to deserve the lighter load? Will you repent? Will you humble and help another with their burdens today?