Bearing One Another

I was in an interview once in which I was asked this question, "How do you handle interpersonal conflict?" Perhaps you have been asked the same question?

My response to this was, "I believe I must pour on each relationship a measure of grace. For some it may be more and for some it may be less." The idea is that people are different and likewise struggle with different things. I cannot experience your suffering all the time, but I can respect it. I can come along side others, understand their suffering, and share their emotional pain. This is empathy.

But what about faults? What if a person moves past simple suffering and into something greater? What if a person falls into a sin that I disprove of? What then?

Should I then be disproving, rejecting their acquaintance, or contemning them? I don't think so. Even in this, we need to pour on each other a measure of grace that is sufficient to bear one another and restore each other to the hope we have in the Gospel.

Paul gives us some very wise instruction in the latter portion of Galatians. He writes, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We have already learned that the law of Christ is to walk in the law of love. In love we are to lift up, edify, and restore each other when we both suffer and struggle with sin. But we are to do so in a spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1).

It's very easy to look down on others who suffer from and struggle with things that we do not. We may look on somebody's failed pregnancy as just punishment for some wickedness in their life; or a teenager's rebellious spirit as the wicked fruit of bad parenting. Even still, when we catch somebody caught up in a sin that we find deplorable we may be quick to judge them and cast them out of our fellowship with scornful contempt. But is this what the Scripture is teaching us?

"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3)

"Looking down our nose" is an American idiom that means to think one is better than someone else. If we stick our nose high in the air and look down on everybody else then we fool ourselves. The Scriptures have reproved all to be in sin, and by necessity, we all need the saving blood of Jesus equally. Who am I to look down my nose on you when you suffer or struggle? I should be reminded that I am no better off; for I too am just as susceptible to your current plight.

So in the spirit of meekness, fulfill the law of Christ. We need to encourage each other in the hope of Christ. We need to always remind each other of our daily need of the gospel of grace. This includes those who teach you God's word. Your pastor needs to be encouraged in the truth of the gospel (v. 6). No man is exempt from suffering and certainly no one person can withstand sin but Jesus.

Praying for you all,

Jay Silvas