Burdens

by Micky Galloway

The burdens of life are peculiar to “this tabernacle” of the flesh. “For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened” (II Corinthians 5:4). Paul knew, however, that we are promised release from the burdens of this life. “For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1).

The deepest and heaviest burdens are not always seen. If we only knew what fierce battles some men and women are fighting, what mighty burdens they are bravely carrying. Surely this would teach us valuable lessons of restraint. Most certainly we would be more charitable and less harsh in our judgments of others.

Some have suggested that Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” and Galatians 6:5, “For each man shall bear his own burden,” must be contradictory passages. These passages do not contradict. In Galatians 6:2 the word “burden” is from the Greek word “baros,” which means “load.” This may be a “burden” or “load” of difficulty, sorrow or pain. We are to bear one another's burdens of this sort. However, in Galatians 6:5 the word “burden” is from the Greek word “phortion” which means “pack.” This “pack” is the whole of one's duties before God, for which each one is personally responsible. Hence, “each man shall bear his own burden” or pack. This “pack” that no one can help you bear, is to be distinguished from the heavy “loads” of verse 2 that we are to share.

The Bible teaches us to do three things with our burdens: “Bear ye one another's burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “Every man shall bear his own burden” (Galatians 6:5). And then, “Cast thy burden upon Jehovah” (Psalms 55:22; cf I Peter 5:7).

“Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Some burdens are to be shared with others. We are commanded, “not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). The key to Galatians 6:2 is found in verse 1, “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” So, in mutual burden bearing, we should seek to restore our brethren who have gone astray. We should not seek to throw stones at them, but seek in love to “restore” them. “Restore” is used to mean “to set in joint again,” as a dislocated bone is set in joint again by the doctor. W.E. Vine defines, “katartizo”, “to mend, to furnish completely, is translated ‘restore’ in Galatians 6:1, metaphorically, of the ‘restoration,’ by those who are spiritual, of one overtaken in a trespass, such a one being as a dislocated member of the spiritual body. The tense is the continuous present, suggesting the necessity for patience and perseverance in the process.” We are to help our brother by sincere reproofs and fervent exhortations. We are to restore “in the spirit of gentleness.” Many needful reproofs lose their effectiveness because they are given in the wrong spirit. However, when they proceed from a sincere affection and concern for the welfare of those to whom given, they are likely to make an impression, producing desirable fruit.

“For each man shall bear his own burden.” Some of our burdens are non-transferable. The Lord has given to each man his own work. “But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor” (Galatians 6:4; cf Mark 13:34). Nobody can believe in the Lord for you, or repent for your sins, or confess your faith in Jesus Christ, or be baptized in your stead. Nobody can perform your duties as a Christian for you, no matter how badly they might like to. Nobody can answer at the judgment bar of God for you (Romans 14:12; II Corinthians 5:10). These are responsibilities that are uniquely individual. Nobody can get lost in the crowd and hide behind others (Psalms 33:13; Hebrews 4:13).

“Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalms 55:22). Some burdens push us to the point of despair and are beyond the reach of human effort and aid. These are to be cast upon the Lord, for in these He has promised to sustain us. Perhaps you have gone into some deep “Gethsemane” and prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). In His grace perhaps the cup was removed. However, he has not promised to remove all burdens. If it was not removed, then he has promised strength to bear it. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. He besought the Lord three times for it to he removed. It was not removed, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee for (my) power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responded, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Corinthians 12:7-10). We are promised, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13). So it is with life's seemingly unbearable burdens. We must cast them upon the Lord, “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7; cf Philippians 4:5-7).

Let us be conscious of the burdens of others; those loads that we can help others to lift, for truly we are our brother's keeper. But let us also be willing to assume those burdens of responsibility that are uniquely ours; those burdens of duty that are not transferable. However, when we are seemingly overwhelmed with the burdens of disappointment, fear and failure, let us cast these burdens upon the Lord.