"Bearing One Another's Burdens"

Where does one turn when he/she is in trouble or needs help? Do we turn to our relatives or our neighbours? Do we seek out professional help? Do we talk to financial counsellors? To whom do we turn? The Apostle Paul gives sound advice, when he counsels the Galatian brethren, '..... (NEB.) He then goes on to say, 'Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ' (AV.) He counsels the 'spiritually minded' members of the Ecclesia to 'gently' handle problems as they become aware of them.

How do we respond to problems when they occur? Are we perceptive enough to realize we have problems? Do we attempt to handle them or do we pretend they do not exist? There is much more to 'ecclesial life' than attending 'meeting' on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday. More than being involved in CYC, CYAC, ASK, or any of the other areas of 'ecclesial life'. The Truth has to be more than an outlet for the expression of our inner needs. It must consume us, must become a part of us, so that all we do centres upon it and comes from it. We must change; we must want to change. We must become like the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of being like him is having concern for our brethren and sisters; being alert enough to recognize problems as they may occur. We must be willing to help them; willing to "bear their burdens.'

PART 1

"Ecclesia" in the Scriptures

"Ecclesia", A Word Study

In the New Testament, the word "church" is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew term qahal, found in the Old Testament. Both words signify "an assembly", but there does not seem to be any case in which the word is found to be connected with a place of meeting or worship. A man, by the name of Thomas Arnold wrote, "The true and grand idea of a church is a society for the purpose of making men like Christ, earth like heaven, the kingdoms of the world the kingdom of Christ. " This work will not be done until the Lord Jesus returns, but it is a laudable goal for the believer in, the follower of, Christ.