Help Is One The Way

Sept. 30

Read: Galatins 6:1-10

Help Is On The Way

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (6:2)

I have never felt this verse more deeply than this past month of my life. Laid up with an injury, not able to function hardly on my own, and the body of Christ - God’s people - have carried me forward each step of the way. Sometimes LITERALLY… Tommy, Hugh, Pete, James, and Matthew all literally held me up and carried me injured out of the Colorado mountains. My wife and children have tirelessly cared for me; and there is still a long road ahead. I am humbled and taken aback at the kindness and love of God’s people. I have seen so many who are “fulfilling the law of Christ.” (v.2)

I know that in the midst of those people who read these devotions that there are countless more examples of this very same thing! I pray for many of you and the trials you are facing. I think of Barb in WI battling cancer, my Father in-law George with MS in FL, Gary here in SC as we lift up his boys in prayer, Craig as he walks alongside his wife in her battle with cancer as well… I mean the list goes on. We as the people of God are truly “bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ”. This is a noble and true endeavor… this is Christian living. The “law of Christ” is a law of grace and love… a law of being willing to carry weight in Christian community. We will all have our turn(s) at both being the ones helping and being the ones desperately in need of help. Sooner or later we all get knocked down and God uses his people to carry one another out of the wilderness… to lift one another up… to bear with one another.

Sometimes this “bearing with” looks more like correction. When we catch each other in the act of sin, we are called to “put each other back into place”, The Greek translated “restore” has a medical image behind it… the idea of putting a joint that is dislocated back into the right position… literally to put in its place. Sometimes we ned to be gently “put in our place” be one another. We need to lovingly be told we are out of line… and then carried back to where we ought to be.

We all play a part in this Christian life. Paul says: “For each will have to bear his own load.” (v.5) Each day we are both “sowing and reaping”. (v.8) The scriptures say this:

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (v.7,8)

We are sowing either flesh or Spirit. We are reaping either corruption or eternal life. To gently restore, or graciously care for, or bear with one another is to sow the Spirit and reap eternal life. To walk in arrogance, or brashly correct, or to reject your work and neglect the “load you are to carry” is sowing the flesh and reaping corruption. To live this way is actually handwork. It is not easy. That is why it says:

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (v.9,10)

May we not grow weary! It is “wearisome” work to do good for others… but it is God’s work and we will reap eternal life from it! We must not give up. We must not give up our praying for others, our encouraging of them, our sharing of resources, our spending time with, our working on behalf of… we must not give up. It is actually a GIFT from GOD to be given the opportunity to sow Spirit. Think of that. Every instance of need… every opportunity to bear with another person… is an opportunity to sow Spirit and reap LIFE. May we boldly carry on with one another… “Bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ.” Do not grow weary brothers and sisters in doing good. And for those who feel broken, helpless, and “out of place”… help is on the way. I am trusting God will send his people into your life to help carry your burdens with you. You are not alone! Love you guys. - JDP