Christian Friends
Good Morning Friends,
When we bear another’s burdens there is one rule. Well maybe two. Do you know what it is? It is more than it be an entirely self-sacrificing, unselfish act. Though that is typically what happens. When we carry another’s packages, lift another’s load we don’t really give it much thought. We just act and this action somehow gives us time, frees up time, so that we can then share it in friendly conversation… Here we build the bonds…the yoke of Christian Friends.
Scripture: Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:8-10 (NRSV)
And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
(NRSV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads. Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
Galatians 6:2-10 (NRSV)Top of Form
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:36-39 (NRSV)
Message: We all may not gain wealth but we all have burdens… So, cast your burdens to the Lord and ask Him if He wants you the share, shoulder or shed them. When it comes to our faith and God the law of sowing and reaping always applies. Brothers and sisters, if we try hard to live by the law of love; love for God and love for man, we will honor God, obey Him, and do no wrong to our neighbors.
We need to fulfill the law of love… We need to love as Christ loved and loves us. This act builds the Kingdom, strengthens the body of believers and engages us to do together what would be impossible alone….Here we learn to celebrate the joy that we as Christian friends share in a relationship with Jesus.
So, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Pray we have new hearts that guide us in the Spirit to accomplish the will of your perfect love. Pray the faith that blesses us with a love will never disappear. Pray our heart listens to God with a surrender to the simple life of the Holy Spirit. Pray our lives are filled with compassion. Pray we live in the generosity of forgiveness. Pray your light visit all those who are in darkness and show them the way of love. Pray that we shed the burdens we should shed. Pray we share the burdens we should share and shoulder those burdens we need to shoulder. Pray that we help to restore those who have faltered in the faith though the patient, kind and loving acts of Christian friendship. Pray that we not be tempted in the process but do what is noble, right, lovely, praiseworthy and excellent. Pray that we have compassion on others and when the relationship gets time consuming, expensive and just plain hard, know that it is Jesus we serve. Pray we are yoked to Jesus as He teaches us and lightens the load. Pray that we look into the perfect law of love and the light it brings into the world of pain.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 