Bear One Another's Burdens

In our last study, I tried to explain to you what Paul meant by the expression: “Fulfill the law of Christ. But I did not open up and explain to you, in any great detail, the phrase: “Bear one another’s burdens”, and so this evening I will try to do so. I said to you the last time, that it appears from the contextual proximity (the closeness) of verse 2 to verse 1, that the words “bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ” were written as a further explanation of what you, as a Christian and a member of a local church are to do, in relation to the one who you are trying to restore; their having been overtaken in a trespass. To bear one another’s burdens is therefore to bear the burden of being patient and forbearing with this same person during all the time of the process of their restoration, after you have told them of their fault. In a more specific and fuller sense it will mean that you will be thinking of what the real burdens and needs are, which other Christians have. Their real burdens are not so much their material needs, although we would not be opposed to giving help to a needy brother. But their real burdens, as spoken of here in these verses, are related to their being able to grow up into Christ, and what may be hindering them in that way. So, tonight I would like to give you instruction from the word of God on how you might be able to make progress in this good work of bearing the burdens of other Christians around you. 1st – There should be a willingness to help other Christians who are poor or who have some real spiritual or physical need. 2nd – You should be thinking about what the Lord is asking you personally to do.