WHOSE WEIGHT IS IT?
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NLT)
“For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6:5 KJV)
Should I bear the problems of others? If so, when should and shouldn’t I?
I see a very apparent controversy between these two verses. One says that I should help people carry their load, but in
1. In Galatians 6:2 the original word for “carry” refers to life’s problems that are too much for 1 person to carry alone.
For example: mourning, the initial crisis when a close relative dies, or the burden of sin. Jesus knew that we could not pay that ourselves, so he had to help us carry that burden by dying on the cross for us.
2. In Galatians 6:5 The original word in this verse refers to the lighter burdens, those that a person is able to carry on their own, or that they should carry on their own because they are the result of their own irresponsible actions.
For example, when a person insists on drinking alcohol or taking drugs and ends up in prison because they caused an accident, we are not obligated to sacrifice our sleep, family, or to get into debt by taking a loan in order to get them released earlier from jail.
“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:5 NLT)
Thus, there are people who insist on not obeying the commandments of God and live in constant problems. They become the victims, wanting other people to suffer with them and help them with their financial or emotional burdens when they are the only ones responsible for the mess in which they are stuck.
You and I are not responsible for paying the consequences of those who insist on sinning, that get into problems by drinking, being violently angry, lazy and not wanting to work, study, read the scriptures, etc.
By facing the consequences and solving the problems by themselves, they will have the opportunity to mature their character, and grow as people of integrity and be prepared as successful people.
..you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. (Gal.6:7 NLT)
Summary: Let us encourage those who must carry their own burdens in order to mature but let us help those who have moments that are legitimate burdens too heavy and painful for a human being, and so we will be more like Christ.
Think about it:
What kind of weight am I for other people? Am I a mature person? Do I take responsibility for my actions or seek to blame others? Do I try to live wisely so as to not to get in trouble? Do I often feel like a victim or that nobody understands me?
