Always Help Each Other

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Galatians 6:2)

My church is not there just so I can refill my spiritual cup every Sunday. It’s not just there so I can sing praise and worship to the Lord either. It is a gathering place for the Body of Christ, to share in each other’s lives. Yes, I worship and spiritually renew but I am also there to love and care for my brothers and sisters in Christ. They are there to love and care for me also. I thrive on my interactions at church and I’m there every time the doors are opened.

I know there are people who walk into church every Sunday, spend their required time, and leave without saying a word to anyone else. I’ve even read of a guy who would leave the auditorium just before a mutual greeting time, so he wouldn’t have to say hello to anyone. He would return when everyone was seated again. What are they getting out of church if that’s their routine? These are the kind of people that need to hear an encouraging word from me and others in the church.

It’s not just about the people in my local church. If a brother or sister anywhere is carrying a heavy burden it is my responsibility, under the law of Christ, to help bear that burden. It doesn’t matter whether I am personally acquainted with them or not. Our brotherhood extends around the world. That means there are people in far flung places that have heavy burdens. If I know or hear of a need I am compelled by the Lord to attempt to ease their load.

I heard about a tiny little church in the Dominican Republic. They took up a collection for tornado victims in the United States. The Dominican Republic is one of the poorest nations in the world and this church is in one of the poorest neighborhoods in that country. They heard the need and found the means to do something. Of course, by American standards, it wasn’t very much, but by God’s standards, it was immeasurable. In giving out of their poverty, they became an example for us all! We praise the Lord and give glory to God with our good works.

Father God, we are grateful the heaviest burden of sin we carry has been lifted from us. Jesus carried the sins of the world to the cross and paid the debt for our wickedness. Father lead us to brothers and sisters who need our help with whatever is weighing them down. Help us not to be so unaware of their burdens that we finally see they are broken and beaten down by their troubles. Give us a heart and the means to help when we can. Put the desire in our hearts to be the first to offer when a burden comes to light. If we’re tempted to say others will help so we don’t need to, remind us that we may be desperate for help someday and hoping for it to come along. Sometimes, Lord, we’re tempted to push through a problem without asking for help. If we do not ask for help, or refuse help when offered, remind us we’re robbing a blessing from the person offering. Lord we want to be a blessing and encouragement to each other and thereby follow your lead. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!