A Fellowship of Burdens . . . Or a Fellowship of Joy?

To ease another’s heartache
is to forget one’s own.

~ Abraham Lincoln

On Mondays I often wonder how many church members come to church so burdened by the cares of life that they aren’t even really present at worship.

The message of God’s Word does not penetrate their hearts, because it doesn’t make its way past their conscious hearing. They are simply consumed by their burdens. The burdens they carry grow out of finances, marriage, friendships, problems at work, a child who is rebellious or who is running from God, an ongoing health issue, a death in the family – the list of potential problems people face is endless.

I wonder if it's possible for a church – a body of believers – to reach a point where there are more burdened people than there are people willing to bear the burdens? Some churches have become nothing more than a fellowship of burdens!

We've made a verb of fellowship so that we can now "fellowship" over coffee! . . . when the koinonia is nothing more than a burden-comparison-session.

What happened to the Joy of fellowship?

After all -- depending on whom you listen to -- the whole world is a financial, relational, moral and political disaster! Everyone is burdened by something or someone!!

In the New Testament, the word "fellowship" (Greek koinonia) is a very strong word that reminds us that we SHARE together in God's grace -- NOT our common burdens!

The New Testament Church understood Joy.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
~ Galatians 6:2

The word “burden” in Galatians 6:2 comes from the Greek word βάρος (baros). It refers to a weight that is heavy or crushing. Spiritually speaking, a "burden" is anything that threatens to crush our Joy!

In terms of perceivable burdens in a church body, we do tend to think of "burdens" as sickness, unemployment, loss of a loved-on, loneliness, rejection, etc. And we see the people who bear these burdens as victims -- which isn't necessarily wrong. If we are full of Christ we will most definitely be about the business of bearing these burdens.

Throughout the New Testament we are given instructions on how to conduct ourselves among fellow-believers. The Christian family isn't about criticizing or condemning, but about encouraging and restoring one another. . .

. . . and there isn't a counselor or mental-health professional
anywhere who would disagree that encouraging and
helping to restore others takes our mind off
of ourselves and our own problems.

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.
~ Abraham Lincoln

There is, however, a greater heartache -- a far more overwhelming and crushing burden -- that too many Christians overlook. Immediately before telling the Galatians to "bear one another's burdens" in Galatians 6:2, Paul describes this greater burden and how to help a person bear it:

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness."

~ Galatians 6:1

A person who is sinning needs help! The Bible tells us that those who are spiritual should "restore him." The sad part is that way too many Christians wrongly label this Biblical mandate as "judging."

They say, "That's none of my business. I don't want to be burdened by that.
It's not my problem. I'm not going to judge that person."

Sorry. That position is just not Biblical.

Ultimately, Christ has already taken on the burden of sin. We can not carry this burden for someone else. HOWEVER, as Christians, it is our responsibility to admonish and warn each other about attitudes, habits, actions, etc. which are wrong and then point each other to Christ. The Bible is clear on this! . . .

. . . and what greater Joy than to point someone to Christ?
In doing so, aren't we also taking the focus
off of ourselves and our own problems?

Problems that may not have as great an eternal consequence??
If you've ever led someone to Christ, you understand that . . .

. . . To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.
~ Abraham Lincoln

On Mondays do you sometimes feel overwhelmed thinking about the "burdens" of those who surround you in church?

Are they burdened by the economy?
Are they burdened by a broken relationship?
Are they burdened by physical illness?

Or are they burdened by sin?

A burden easily disguised.
A burden with eternal consequence.

Whatever their particular burden, it is our responsibility as Christians to show genuine care -- restoring them to a strong trust in God's all-sufficient grace. Our fellowship (koinonia) with each other is based on our common koinonia with Jesus Christ. (I John 1:6-7)

. . . remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:
"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
~ Acts 20:35

~Esthermay Bentley-Goossen
© 2009 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

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This installment of InOtherWords is hosted by Susan on her blog, Forever His.