BEAR ONE ANOTHER

DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 2016

Topic: BEAR ONE ANOTHER                      

Text: Galatians 6:1 – 5                       

No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn’t need help from other Christians, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others because what Mr A has (talents and gifts) Mr B may not have. This understanding is very important if we are to maintain the unity of faith Jesus Christ prayed for. The body of Christ (the church) functions only when the members work together for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:12–26) one another.

In our bible reading for the day, Paul addressed the problem of individual sin by explaining corporate (group) responsibility towards the sinner. A Christian may sin alone, but because he or she participates in the body of Christ, his or her sin affects other parts of the body. Our reaction to other Christians’ sins ought not to be how we can get rid of them from the church rather we should help them who are fellow members of the body of Christ in their battle to come out of sins. This is a challenge for us in the present day church.

The phrase, ‘if a Christian is overcome by some sin,’ pictures a believer being trapped or caught by sin which literally means not a deliberate act. Whether it was deliberate or not, we should carefully and cautiously handle such cases because the way it is handled will go a long way in helping others to own up to their sins and repent of them. Burden as used in Galatians 6:2 means heavy or oppressive burdens that a believer cannot carry alone. It could be financial burdens or burden of temptations. We must help share the loads that others find too heavy to carry alone. 

Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person (John 13:34–35). Don’t wait until such person comes to you, cap at hand kneeling and begging before you render help. Kindly do something for someone today as you go into the world. God will bless and reward you. Amen.

Food for Thought: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Memory verse: Galatians 6 verse 2

Prayer: Grant me the understanding, O Lord, that I should help people in their needs especially when overtaken by temptations.