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Bear and Share
Frodo and Sam- I can’t carry the rig, but I can carry you.
Galatians 6:1-2New King James Version (NKJV)
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Lets first discuss the law of Christ
Paul said this:
1 Corinthians 9:19-22New King James Version (NKJV)
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[a] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[b] but under law toward Christ[c]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[d] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Romans 8:2New King James Version (NKJV)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
The law of Christ is in the one who lives according to the Spirit of God. Where the Holy Spirit leads and guides, where God’s laws are written on the heart, in our flesh. It is a life ruled and reigned by the Holy Spirit, lines up with the Word of God and we obey God because we love Him.
Contrary to popular belief, the Word of God is God-breathed, it is not rules and regulations, but it is LIFE to our flesh. It is spiritual law.
Jeremiah 31:33New King James Version (NKJV)
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
This law of Christ gives us sufficient power and grace to live righteously before God.
We have been given a new nature, so that we may love and obey the Lord.
Ezekiel 11:19-20New King James Version (NKJV)
Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them,[a] and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
If anyone tells you the law of Christ is only about love they do not understand the Spirit’s purpose- it is the ability to live in accordance with the will and law of God.
EX: I remember when I got saved, I had such a desire to read God’s Word, I could not put it down. It was like I was starving and it was the first meal I had in years. I began to see things differently. Nobody told me to stop having sex outside marriage, the Spirit wrote that law on my heart. Nobody told me to stop partying, that law was written on my heart.
This is the law of Christ then- it is the spirit-led life
Romans 8:5, 12-14 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Therefore in Galatians, we are told to “bear an share each other’s burdens” and we fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:1
This word restore is used in the NT for mending fishing nets so that they could be of full use and here for the perfecting of human character.
restore- to complete fully, repair
A huge part of bearing another’s burden is to restore them- to gently lead a brother or sister back to repentance and to full commitment to Jesus and His ways. GENTLY- like how you would mend a fishing net that was your livelihood
This same word is used in 2 Cor 13:11 “perfect” also means “complete”
2 Corinthians 13:11King James Version (KJV)
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect (complete), be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Therefore we are to aid in our brothers in becoming complete-
Restore to proper condition- completing our faith and practice, training students
It implies submitting to the Spirit and the Word so that one can be prepared for service.
YOU ARE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER.
James 5:19-20New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth,(this is a brother in Christ) and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul[a] from death and cover a multitude of sins.
- A burden bearer goes to battle to restore a fallen brother
Most of us probably err here; we’re too passive, too hesitant to confront the forces of evil. We have a lot of excuses for not going after a fallen brother:
A man will reap what he sows. And isn’t God sovereign? Why interfere? It’s not my business. I will be judged. In the same way, we can always come up with plenty of excuses for not going after a fallen brother. But there’s always one compelling reason to go:
- THEY ARE IN BONDAGE
–Often a foolish Christian will cast off what he perceives as the “restrictions” of God’s Word and pursue the pleasures the world offers. But he ends up in back in bondage.
Sin promises us freedom, but we end up becoming the slaves of corruption
But the point for the spiritual Christian is that when our brother is caught in some trespass, we must exercise bold faith in seeking to restore him. Doing nothing is not an option if you love God and your brother.
- THE BURDEN BEARER DOES BATTLE TO RESTORE A WANDERING BROTHER.
Sometimes, if you do not have a relationship with the person, all you can do is pray. But when the situation involves someone you know, the Lord may want you to be involved. Remember, it’s never convenient or easy to go after a Christian who has fallen into the clutches of the enemy. It is always risky and it takes time and emotional energy. But the Lord Jesus went after the straying sheep, and if we are His followers, we must do the same. It is not just the responsibility of pastors. It is the job of every mature (spiritual) Christian.
EX: I had someone tell me, “I do not want to take on their baggage. Their sin is nasty”
Excuse me? I walked with you through your nasty sexual sin ad you want to condemn someone else?
HYPOCRITE. I have shared the burden of those who have molested children. The grace and mercy of God is for anyone and everyone who repents of their sin. YOU have no say so in the process.
There are a few rules to follow in doing battle to restore your brother:
(1) You must be separate from the world and sin to rescue a fallen brother.
The only way you can help a brother or sister who is ensnared in the world or in some sin is to walk in holiness yourself (“you who are spiritual”). One reason Christians are often hesitant to confront a sinning brother is that they know there is sin in their own lives. So they adopt the philosophy, “You don’t confront me and I won’t confront you.” But the result is that sin festers and grows and the body of Christ is weakened.
(2) You need preparation to rescue a fallen brother.
When Paul says, “you who are spiritual,” he’s not referring to something you attain instantly. As Galatians 5 spells out, the spiritual Christian is one who walks in the Spirit, who has replaced the deeds of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. That takes time. If you aren’t growing in the Lord and in your understanding of the principles of His Word, you won’t be able to apply those principles wisely when someone you know needs them. We need to use times of calm to learn spiritual warfare for the times of battle.
(3) You must use wisdom to rescue a fallen brother.
Consider the way Nathan confronted David in his sin. He didn’t walk up and say, “David, you committed adultery and murder.” He told David a story and got him to sympathize with the victim in the story. Then he sprung his trap by saying, “You’re the man! You did what the aggressor in the story did.” David broke down in repentance. 2 Samuel 12:-1-14 READ
EX: lady married 18 yrs and wanted to divorce. “I won’t let you” they got mad
I am so grieved at the divorces in the church!
(4) You must act on principle, not results, to rescue a fallen brother.
Have you ever heard about a Christian caught in sin and you thought, “Why try to help him? It wouldn’t do any good.” There are three reasons to help him anyway.
-First, Christian love demands it. If you love someone you can’t sit around while he destroys himself through sin. THIS IS TRUE LOVE.
-Second, we don’t know the future, so we can’t assume that our brother will fall again. Maybe this time he will learn to walk with God.
-Third, we need to deliver ourselves. God told Ezekiel (3:16-21) that if the watchman didn’t warn the wicked to turn from their sin, God would require it of him. But if he warned them, but they refused to listen, at least the watchman had delivered himself. If you see a brother or sister in sin, you are responsible to try to restore him, no matter what he later does. The godly person needs a bold faith in God when a brother is caught in sin.
At the end of the day- you are not responsible for their choices. You are ONLY responsible to do what God has asked you to and to say.
- A burden bearer shares in another’s life. GAl 6:2
to bear another’s “burden” means to help them carry their weight/load
Romans 12:15-16New King James Version (NKJV)
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
If you are disconnected from the Body, you are NOT fulfilling the law of Christ.
When one part of the Body hurts, the whole hurts.
Ex: If I have an ingrown toenail- it affects my whole body, it affects my mood, my performance, my ability to walk
When someone is suffering, you should feel their suffering.
NOW- you do not take on their pain and suffering, that is Jesus’ job, but we are to sympathize with them.
EX: I am not a very compassionate person because of the way I grew up. “GET OVER IT”, but God has showed me that people’s suffering is real to them, no matter how it may appear to me. I need to identify with their suffering
Hebrews 13:3New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
I do want to address a different kind of suffering:
1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.[d] On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
EX: lady who felt like Job.
To bear another’s burdens is to meet tangible needs- if it is in your power to provide them with something they need, then you are obligated to meet that need.
The early church understood this to the extent that they sold everything and came together and distributed what was needed to whom needed it. Want a NT church? Here it is.
Acts 2:44-45New International Version (NIV)
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Prayer-
I want you to go to someone that you are not in a close relationship, but you have seen before. Ask them 2 things- how can I pray for you and what tangible thing can I do for you.