The Shoulder Put Down
["Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." ~Galatians 6:2
"...God promises to help carry your burdens. (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). One way He does that is by encouraging another believer to come alongside you and put their shoulder down so you can put part of your burden on them, and you can walk together. Bearing one another's burdens honors and glorifies God." (Sept. 5, 2011 devotion Turning Points, David Jeremiah)]
What a wonderful way of putting it...oh that I might always be that put-down shoulder for others! (Yes, even when I'm tired...especially when I'm tired and don't feel like going that one more mile.) Are you that shoulder put down, or simply a head full of doctrinal knowledge? Are you putting your faith into action, for:
"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." ~James 2:14-26
Make no mistake, we are definitely not saved by our works...salvation comes through Christ alone...yet works are a by-product of one's true salvation. Pray to be more and more that shoulder for others...that Christ's unselfishness reign increasingly through your life. He was the ultimate Servant. Pray for more increase in being that put-down shoulder for your spouse, your children, your neighbor, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, the stranger(s) you encounter today. Sometimes that put-down shoulder can even be something as simple as a very warm smile and "hi" to that stranger you pass in the store, encouraging him onward...the world is watching to see how we are different. They are watching to see Jesus in us. Are you showing them you...or your Lord and Saviour?
Encourage...bear one another's burdens...therefore fulfilling the law of Christ....
"...God promises to help carry your burdens. (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7). One way He does that is by encouraging another believer to come alongside you and put their shoulder down so you can put part of your burden on them, and you can walk together. Bearing one another's burdens honors and glorifies God." (Sept. 5, 2011 devotion Turning Points, David Jeremiah)]
What a wonderful way of putting it...oh that I might always be that put-down shoulder for others! (Yes, even when I'm tired...especially when I'm tired and don't feel like going that one more mile.) Are you that shoulder put down, or simply a head full of doctrinal knowledge? Are you putting your faith into action, for:
"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." ~James 2:14-26
Make no mistake, we are definitely not saved by our works...salvation comes through Christ alone...yet works are a by-product of one's true salvation. Pray to be more and more that shoulder for others...that Christ's unselfishness reign increasingly through your life. He was the ultimate Servant. Pray for more increase in being that put-down shoulder for your spouse, your children, your neighbor, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, the stranger(s) you encounter today. Sometimes that put-down shoulder can even be something as simple as a very warm smile and "hi" to that stranger you pass in the store, encouraging him onward...the world is watching to see how we are different. They are watching to see Jesus in us. Are you showing them you...or your Lord and Saviour?
Encourage...bear one another's burdens...therefore fulfilling the law of Christ....
"Keep going...we're here and will help be God's wings for you!"
"The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” ~Ruth 2:12
posted by His Proverbs31 Sparrow at 12:36 PM
