Galatians 6:1-4 | Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2
Every year, my cousin would travel from Chicago to Alabama to spend the summer with Mom, Dad, and me. Mom raised me to be responsible for my cousin, though I’m only a year older. If he got in trouble, I got in trouble. I felt we were independent individuals. However, I loved him and cared for his wellbeing, so I knew I had to, in a sense, be my cousin’s keeper.
In God’s family, we’re to share in the care of fellow believers in Jesus (Galatians 6:2). That includes holding one another accountable for our actions. We’re called to be our neighbor’s keeper. Imagine if I had dismissed my cousin and let him fall into turmoil. I would have committed a wrong—a sin—failing to love God by failing to love my cousin. God calls on Christian believers to love Him and love others. Even when we come across someone misbehaving, we are to “restore” in a spirit of gentleness (v. 1). Scripture warns believers to be keepers of themselves, too, when carrying the burdens of others—to not succumb to temptation.
When we come across someone struggling, whether it be money problems, addiction, depression, or hopelessness, we can approach them with empathy—not contempt. Helping and guiding others as best as we can, helping them carry their burdens even as we consider our own, pleases God and blesses us. —Aja N. Bell
How can you carry the burden of your neighbor without falling into temptation?
God, please allow me the capacity for empathy and love for others. In Your name, I pray, amen.