OPPORTUNITIES AND BURDENS

    “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”  Romans 15:1-4 (NKJV)

    “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2 (NKJV)

    “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”   1 John 3:23 (NKJV)

    Christ's example shows that real love involves self-sacrifice. We do this by becoming truly concerned about the needs of other Christians and by unselfishly giving time, effort, prayer, possessions, and even our lives to supply those needs. 

    Burdens and opportunities are opposite sides of the same coin.  As we reach out to others we are also blessing ourselves.  The one-talent man saw his opportunity as a heavy burden and so failed.  The others saw their burden as an opportunity and succeeded.

    1. Read the context.

    “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”  Gal 6:1 (NKJV)

    “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer: Literally Brothers, if a man. • Perhaps some of the Galatians were proud of their obedience to the law or their spiritual freedom and willpower. But those who are truly godly (literally spiritual) are not proud of their accomplishments but humbly help others. • be careful: We are all susceptible to the same temptation to sin (Rom 3:9-20).—NLT Study Bible

    2. My brothers. Paul begins to emphasize the spirit of community which is a very necessary part of the church of Christ. Even those who are being led by the Spirit sometimes are surprised into sin. Compare Gal. 2:11-13; 1 John 1:8-10. The normal human thing to do, is to be hostile to those who sin. The Christian thing to do is to set them right. It is the special responsibility of the spiritual to do this. But it must be done in a gentle way, because hostility might destroy the very one you are trying to save. And keep an eye on yourself.  Don’t think you are immune to temptation. Being aware of our own weakness will help us to be gentle toward others.  Instead of being hostile and scolding one another, you must help each other carry burdens.’ This is the spirit of community.  MacKnight says: “This is an allusion to the custom of travelers, who when too heavily laden with their baggage, relieve one another, by bearing the burden of the weak or fatigued, and in that manner show their good disposition toward each other.” The law of Christ requires benevolence and good will even to those who are surprised into sin.

    3. If someone.  If you are so proud of your own righteousness that you are hostile to your weak brother and will not help him, you are only fooling yourself. When you think you are too strong to fall, you are living in a fool’s paradise!” Should judge his own. “You must not use the faults of others as the standard for your own conduct. There is no honor in looking at your brother and saying, ‘I am better than you.’ If what you do is good, measured by God’s standard, then you can be proud of your actions.” For everyone. “At the Judgment, each of us will have to answer for himself.” Load = PHORTION [fortune]. This can also mean that certain things (such as sickness) and the normal duties of life must be the responsibility of the individual and cannot be shared.

    4. A brother, not an enemy.

    “Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  2 Thess 3:15 (NKJV)

    “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal 6:10 (NKJV)

    We should do good to everyone.  We should do good to everyone, whatever their country or religion should be or whatever their physical appearance. But we do have a special responsibility to those who belong to our family in the faith.

    “Don’t be tight-fisted with those who coach you in God-things. Don’t worry: no one pulls a fast one on God. What you put in, you get out. If you invest your time in dark things, you’ll generate mess. If you spend your time on what God’s Spirit nudges you towards, you’ll generate limitless life. Let’s tough it out through the tired times and keep on doing the right thing – if we keep going, we’ll see results. Whenever we get the chance, do people good – especially if they’re part of God’s crew.”  Lacey