By

Shelby G. Floyd

 

We are taught that all of us have heavy spiritual faults and burdens that are so heavy that it is helpful when our brothers and sisters help us bear those burdens: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:1-3 ESV). The goal is to restore such a one to forgiveness and faithfulness.

Carry Your Own Load

In regards to the work of the church some do not carry their share of the load. It is easy to create obligations and then after a short time hand the responsibility to someone else. While we are to help each other bear the burdens that overwhelm us, we also are taught that we have a personal responsibility to carry our own load: “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load” (Galatians 6:3-5).

Practice What You Preach

In Christ’s day, the Pharisees especially would lay heavy loads of religious traditions upon everyone’s back, but they themselves would not carry their load: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them” (Matthew 23:2-4). Because of this attitude of not taking personal responsibility the Pharisees were severely rebuked by Christ.

Each person should carry his load in regards to financial contributions that are needed to carry on the work of the church: “Now concerning[a] the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ESV). Each one of us should carry our load in attending the Bible school and worship services. Each one of us should carry our load in praying for others, in encouragement, in teaching others and reaching out to new people. Let us each carry our load.

Copyright © 2016 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142