Help! Is Anyone Willing to Bear My Burdens?
What does it mean to bear someone else's burdens? Pastor Thian Chye reflects on how we can apply the sermon practically.
Last week, we heard from God on Paul's epistle to the Galatians through Pastor Eugene's sermon titled “True Spirituality”. One application from God’s Word is found in the sermon text in Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”. What does that look like when we do church life together in GBC?
We, as Christians, who are saved by grace through faith in Christ, we are to live lives distinctly different from the world, especially those around them. We are to be forgiving and self-giving, showing love to all. Our capacity to love begins with receiving God’s love for us and in return we pour out His love towards each other. The presence of God’s Spirit in us, working through us to overcome our passion for self in favor of loving others, is confirmation that we are in fact children of God.
John says in 1 John 4:10–12, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us”
Are we committed to loving God and loving others and therefore are willing to serve one another through bearing one another’s burden? What difference does this make in the way I live?
Each day, we live out our lives for Christ who loves us unconditionally and sacrificially. As His disciples, we ought to offer the same in our relationships with one another in church. The love which we received from God, makes it possible for us to be involved in healthy relationships in other members' lives by bearing their burdens and thus bearing testimony that we are disciples of Christ. Apostle John exhorts us in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In the course of my ministry, I’m encouraged by how members are reaching out to one another in many ways. One area where we need to continue the good work of bearing one another’s burdens is when our members grieve over the passing of their loved ones. What can we do in such a situation? Beloved, by being present during their bereavement is by itself bearing their burdens. I assure you that bereaved families are often much comforted and grateful when they see our presence. They value our presence and will feel a sense of support though we may not know how to speak words of comfort or cannot offer much help.
Another possible way of bearing one another’s burdens is to allow members and the church to come alongside you in your time of need such as transportation to church or attending to medical appointments, babysitting and other practical needs. These help may seem insignificant to many, but to the members in need, it is a real blessing to have members stepping in and offering practical helps.
Another of such examples would be in the area of financial help (through the Financial Assistance, Member Care Ministry). Some of us may be struggling with finances or even risk losing a job, being in unexpected situations we never thought we would be in. During these tough times, remember that the church is always available to bear your burdens if you are willing to share your needs.
It is true that bearing one another’s burdens requires time and energy and many times, it causes some inconveniences and sacrifices on the part of members giving help and we may not be able to see the fruit of service. However, from my personal experience, at the end of the day I find myself filled with a heart of thankfulness to God and an overflowing joy of being able to bless my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and having their needs met. Our labour of love is indeed a fragrant offering unto the Lord! Let us not be discouraged by any setbacks that we may encounter along the way in bearing one another’s burdens. Apostle Paul wrote these words in Galatians 6:9-10 to encourage us: “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.”
Beloved, let us continue to bear the burdens of our members in GBC, for God will provide His grace, and in His love, we shall serve one another!