Bearing each other’s burdens
Bearing each other’s burdens
Rom 15:1-6,14,30.
These texts of the scripture admonish us of the importance of supporting each other as brethren in Christ. A believer’s conviction must be founded upon a personal encounter with God but is well built and nurtured through godly interactions with fellows whose faith aligns with our convictions.
Several situations can weaken the faith of a Christian and no one is immune to this phenomenon. What is important is the support of those around the weakened believer who help him through prayer, counsel, provision, and fellowship to nurture him back to full strength. Many people would not have backslid or go through situations for a protracted period if they had help from other brethren. Our response must be quick, prayer-backed, Spirit-led, and love-filled to fully restore and strengthen weakened knees. Jude 1:22-23 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
The common response of blame, judgment, and castigation remains unscriptural and unhelpful in addressing the fate of weakened brethren. We must desist from such and embrace a loving disposition toward our brethren in the great strait of their spiritual or physical life.
Jesus Christ serves as our ultimate example when He went after Peter to encourage his faith and that of others after they became discouraged and went away from the work of God to their worldly business. John 21:3-4. Christ did not display any act of apportioning blame but He lovingly nurtured the erring saints back to the fulness of service- Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
We ensure the unity and continuity of fellowship in faith by rendering heartfelt and genuine help to the people of God especially when they are weak.
“A house that is divided in heart, motive, and goal cannot stand”.
Finally, to receive help in times of weakness, we must also be helpful to others and well-known for sincere friendliness. The Bible typically says “Whatever you sow, you will reap”, so we ought to spend our time sowing seeds of help and comfort, though not out of necessity or rewards, but in sincere love of the brethren. Look at the example of Dorcas in Acts 9:36-41. She bore the necessities of the widows and others around her, and by the time she died, they were the ones who orchestrated the visitation that brought her back to life. Let us learn to bear the concerns of others.
