He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:1-2

From the beginning of human history we find in the Bible that Satan’s main tool is deception, he is the master of deception. He deceived Eve by altering God’s word and suggesting that they would become ‘like God’. From that point forward he continued and continues to deceive men and women to rebel against God’s word. In our memory verse this week Paul reminds us that people are ‘caught in’ sins, that they are ‘tripped up’ and deceived by Satan. We can all relate to this for we have all been deceived by Satan at times in our lives.

Because we can all relate to this aspect of life, Paul asks us likewise to be a part of restoring our brothers and sisters, and to do so gently and in love. Restoration is a wonderful experience and being a part of helping each other to make corrections and return to fellowship with God and the church is truly a privilege that we have been given. This is not just for the Pastors and Elders, but this responsibility is for all of us.

Paul also reminds us that we must all be watchful of our own lives, for while we are helping another we could become weak and vulnerable ourselves. Peter reminds us that our adversary the Devil is like a roaming and roaring lion seeking to destroy (1Peter 5:8). Any one of us, on any day, could find ourselves in a situation of succumbing to Satan’s tactics and find ourselves in need of restoration.

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was the title of a popular Neil Diamond song back in the 70’s, and it came from a Big Brother’s promotional poster showing a boy carrying a boy. Burdens can be heavy, but when we hold up our brothers and sisters they are not heavy, they are family and we are assisted by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we take time to hold each other up, Paul says we fulfill the Law of Christ. What is this law but the truth ‘love one another”?