How to Bear One Another’s Burdens and Fulfill the Law of Christ
The fulfillment of the entirety of God’s Law is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).
Look into this word “Neighbor”; it actually means “Stranger.” In other words, not the one with whom you share affinities, but the one who is vastly different from you!
A woman, with whom I work at the Zoo, is what is today termed “On the spectrum.” Since, as members of the “Guest Engagement Team,” we interact with the public, this makes things “interesting” at times. When this woman talks, she is loud, she is forceful, and she is blunt. This does not bode well with some people. Many consider her “Rude.” But she is not really rude, even though she can come across that way. I have witnessed her at various times taking a customer around the gift shop, suggesting to them just the right gift for someone. This almost always results in a sale. This woman, along with one other employee and I, has the top numbers for getting customers to “round up” and make donations for animal conservation.
Matthew, the tax collector, may have been like another fellow employee of mine. This guy has an amazing ability in terms of calculation that serves him, and the company, well. Inventory, ordering, and everything having to do with numbers are his skill set. I have never seen a human being who can count a cash drawer as fast as he can! Such abilities are particularly amazing to me! Precisely because I do not have them! There is a condition called “Dyscalculia” which is like “Dyslexia” but in terms of numbers, not words. You may research this condition for yourself; it is a real condition! And I have come to the conclusion after many years that I have it. But whereas this is a “burden” of mine, others lacking certain strengths I possess are “burdened” in these areas.
Some people are naturally empathetic, compassionate, and caring for others. Some people are just more equipped socially. Other people (even Christians) either just don’t really care for others, or they simply lack the motivation to improve themselves in these abilities. Others really and truly “just can’t help it!”
The point, as was stated in part one, is that we all have our skills and our limitations. Putting forth the extra effort because of our limitations is sometimes the very vehicle whereby the power of God can manifest to do great works through us that would not have been possible if we had not had our own peculiar “burdens” to bear. As Paul said, “… when I am weak, then I am strong!” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The ear, in its hearing, can make up for what the eye does not or cannot see. Lose a big toe on your foot and you gain an appreciation for what a precious thing balance can be! And thus do we see, and thus do we hear, and thus do we walk, when all of these parts are functioning correctly and working together.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-8)
Most often, were it not for our weakness, the opportunity for someone else’s strength to come forth and shine would not present itself. And by God’s design, the complexities of our weaknesses and the diversities of our strengths produce the fruit that God seeks.
We are told by Paul in Galatians 6:2 to “Bear one another’s burdens.” In Luke 8:15, it speaks of another kind of “Bearing.” There, we are told to “Bear fruit with patience,” which, as the context indicates, is only possible if we have “An honest and good heart.” The “Bearing” that Jesus speaks of in this text is the production of good works for him, our king. Part of that bearing pertains to “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the LORD has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” (Colossians 3:13).
We are not the same! It would be disastrous if we were. It is disastrous when we try to make all alike! God’s plan for our unity is accomplished by our diversity, not by our uniformity! (Exodus 35:29; Romans 15:1; Ephesians 4:2)
We may not think, speak, act, or perform the same, but we can bear with one another in an understanding way, in all humility, gentleness, and patience, walking worthy of the name of Christ,
This, dear brethren, is how we “Fulfill the Law of Christ.”