Why Do We Need the Church? Bearing Burdens

Galatians 2:6

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

“Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:1-3

From the last few weeks, we have learned together that we need the church and we have learned why. For example, we need the church to encourage each other, to pray for each other, to help each other grow in our faith, to strengthen each other during times of difficulty, and to serve each other. There are countless other ways we need the church but for today let’s consider another reason. And I want to warn you that this may be uncomfortable for you; it certainly is for me. 

We need the church because we need people to bear our burdens. Most of the time I hear that phrase used, it is spoken of in a very different context than Galatians 6 uses it. Most of the time I hear it used in the context of helping others when they are hurting, discouraged, or burdened with a heavy load. And while that is certainly part of our responsibility, it is not the context of Galatians 6:1.

Notice how Galatians 6:1 begins, “Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing.” Then Galatians 6:3, “For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” The context of being a burden bearer is when someone is caught in the trap of sin, maybe specifically the sin of pride. One of the reasons we need the church is because we are prone to sin and need others to help us keep our focus on Christ. 

Unfortunately, we often get this wrong in the church. Instead of helping others out of the traps of sin, we are quick to judge, condemn, and even gossip or slander. We are quick to cast stones at another person rather than to recognize the fact that what they are caught in is sin and they need someone to help them bear the weight of their sinful choices. In short, sin is a burden and we are to help others see the impact of sin.

The book of James reminds us of the pattern sin takes. James 1:14 - 16 says, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.” Did you see the pattern? First sin begins with enticement and lust. Then, left unchecked, it leads to sin and then sin leads to death. James wants us to know not only how it works, but the great toll that sin takes on us.

Someone has said, “Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Wow, that is so true. But notice what James 1:16 says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.”

We need the church to help us when we are caught under the burden and bondage of sin. That is how we are to be burden bearers. Galatians 2:11 - 14 tells us of just such an incident. These verses don’t give us a lot of facts but we get enough to know that Paul had to call out Peter and Barnabas for giving preference to the Jews over the Gentiles. It is a great example of being a burden bearer for others. I don’t get the sense this is a war between these godly men; I get the sense this is one brother helping out another brother. And that is why we need the church.

Inevitably there will be someone in the church who reads this and decides they have been called by God to go on a hunt for others' sins. That is not at all the intent of today’s blog. The simple intent is one of restoration, not condemnation. And honestly, there are just some in the church that do not do this well.

I have a challenge for us all today. First, will you take the time to pray for yourself, your pastor, your Bible study teacher, and your circle of friends? We all need prayer but I encourage you to be a prayer warrior on their behalf. Specifically, pray God will keep each of these from personal sin. Be a prayer warrior on their behalf. 

Second, when you hear of a brother or a sister in Christ, caught in the trap of sin, be a kind burden bearer. And when you do so, be sure your own heart is clean and ready to be a genuine burden bearer.