STUDY: BEARING ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

Galatians 6:1-2

Burden-bearing cannot be over-emphasized in campus ministry.  As Christians in our youth, we are called unto salvation and service.  In our day and age, it is easy to be selfish.  Today, we are highly rewarded for outperforming our peers and thus, there is continual competition in our institutions.  In our carnal world, this individualistic mentality is sometimes beneficial to bring the best out of us; however, in the kingdom of God, we are to be servants (II Corinthians 4:5; Romans 6:18), laborers (Matthew 9:37; I Corinthians 3:9) and disciples (Matthew 8:23).

God requires us, in Galatians 6:2, to come together and bear the burdens of our spiritual brothers and sisters.  As a ministry with the goal of raising reliable men and women who will take the doctrine of Jesus Christ to the four corners of our campuses, we cannot afford to merely be a conglomeration of individualistic and selfish people.

1.      RECOGNIZING AND UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER’S BURDENS

I John 3: 16-18; Luke 10: 30-37; Jude 20-23; I Corinthians 13: 1-3; Romans 13: 8-10; Colossians 3:12-14; I Thessalonians 2: 7-12; I Peter 1:22; Isaiah 35:3

God realized that man was destined for destruction before he sent his only begotten Son to the world. Jesus, the Son of God became the Son of Man so that we children of men could become the children of God (I John 3:1-2).  Our Lord came and carried our sins on the cross of Calvary.  Before he ascended, he instructed every believer to “Go into the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).  He wants us to have the same love and compassion for others as he has for us.  It should burden us that millions of students are wallowing in sin.  The impending destruction of every sinner should insert a spiritual sadness in our hearts that pushes us to spread the salvation gospel and our testimony to unbelievers around us.  It is important that we take the great commission very seriously and intercede through prayer for people around us.

In addition to the spiritual burden of sin, we as true Christians are supposed to cater to the physical, emotional and mental needs of our fellow brethren.  The Bible instructs us to love others as ourselves (Matthew 19:19).  In fact, love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit (I Corinthians 13:13).  It is easy for us to say we love each other but fail to recognize the pain and suffering of our fellow Christians.  We sometimes become too spiritual with the term “love” that we only associate it with “non-hatred.”  In the parable of the Good Samaritan, even the priest failed to acknowledge the dying man on the sideway (Luke 10: 31).  His negligence does not reflect hatred; however, it shows the hypocrisy of the spiritual leader who preaches love but does not practice it (the doctrine of “Do what I say but not what I do”).  Jesus went around spreading the gospel of salvation but also healed the sick, dwelled among the heathen and fed the hungry.

If you have been blessed, it is scriptural that you bless others.  It is sometimes not enough to see your brother or sister in need and simply offer a word of prayer.  ”Faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-20).  Sometimes, all you need to do is offer your support to your brother or sister.  The Bible says we should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom 12:15). Offer a shoulder to a brother in need.  Congratulate a sister for an achievement.  Such minute gestures go a long way in encouraging the brethren in the fold and even in bringing sinners to Christ.

Matthew 25: 33-40; Proverbs 28:7; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:7.  Matthew 5:7

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).  There is so much reward in giving what we have.  We are fortunate by the grace of God to have the Spirit of God.  Jesus has promised us crowns of glory for the brethren we nurture in the spirit (I Peter 5:2-4).  We are required to be our brothers’ keepers.  In addition, it will give us great joy to finally get to heaven and fellowship with the people that we guided to the final destination.

Burden bearing breeds love, trust and unity.  The Bible says it is pleasant to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).  We can effectively attract students to ourselves and point them to God if we provide a pleasant fellowship environment on our campus.  We can easily solve simple and complex problems when we have people with similar goals and good intentions (Leviticus 26:7-8).  Jesus came into the world with the primary goal of saving souls.  He, however, attracted multitudes to himself with His good works and compassion.  We must show sincere love and concern for new and existing Christians if we want to effectively grow our ministry.

Matthew 25: 41-46, I Corinthians 9:16b

The blood of our sinner friends, peers and colleagues will be required of us if we refuse to pull them out of the world (Ezekiel 33:6).  It is insufficient for us to refuse to partake in their sins and ignore their destiny. We would have failed to show love and be guilty of all unrighteousness.

Selfishness is a sin.  It is ungodly to think of ourselves alone.  We will be disobeying the commandment of God if we fail to bear one another’s burden.  On judgment day, Jesus will separate his children from the children of disobedience.  He will remind the children of disobedience of the time they failed to feed him when he was hungry; to clothe him when he was naked; and to accommodate him when he was homeless.  He will inform them that they failed in these basic tasks when they ignored the least of his children.

BE A DOER, NOT A HEARER OR PREACHER ONLY!

 ”Give as it was given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you; Be to the helpless a helper indeed…Unto your mission be true” George S. Schuler

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