Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Accepting Christ
Bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Vs.2)
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain’s
response to God was a denial of his responsibility for the welfare of his
brother. We all admit that the world is becoming more selfish as days go by.
Many think it is safer to take care of their own business instead of getting
into troubles by becoming involved in “brother keeper business”.
However the Word of God always reminds us
about our responsibility for each other. In Ezekiel 33 we see that God
appointed the prophet as the watchman for the people of Israel to protect them
from sinful ways. The text for our meditation today also reminds us our
Christian responsibility to become burden-bearers for others. In Galatians 5
Paul talked about the freedom in Christ from the law. The freedom which we
received in Christ is not a freedom to walk in our own ways, but to yield to
the Spirit of God, bearing the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, the liberty
in Christ is not to be independent of others but to be interdependent, giving
us opportunity to grow together in Christ.
While the nature of flesh is a self-conceited
way of provoking one another and envying one another (Gal.5:26), a spiritual
person (who walks in Spirit) has the responsibility to restore a person who is
overtaken by trespasses. (Vs.1). The Greek word for “restore” means to mend
what has been broken to its original stage. We could achieve this only with
gentleness (fruit of the spirit) and by having the compassionate mind of
Christ. This is a call to bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling the law of
Christ to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Gal.5:14). Along with the
responsibility, Paul warns us to be on guard not to fall into any temptation
while trying to restore fellow brethren.
Paul also talks about a self deception of a
false spiritual superiority attitude which is common among the believers
(Vs.3). This obviously is a hindrance to fulfill our responsibility to support
each other. To avoid ending up in that dangerous situation we have to
scrutinize our works (Vs.4) instead of comparing ourselves with others, for we
are to bear our own load. In other words, be known that we all are accountable
to God for what we do.
To accept Christ is to accept the
responsibilities that come along with that privilege. Are we willing to take it
seriously and admit that “I am the keeper of my brother?” In a world
where there is no room for others, let our hearts be open to accommodate others
fulfilling the royal law of Christ.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your love and grace for us. Please enable us to bear each
other’s burden through the power of Your Spirit.
Thought of the day: “There
is a vast difference between putting your nose in other people’s business and
putting your heart in other people’s problems.” – Author Unknown
Abey Cherian, St.Thomas MTC, NY