Wednesday, October 14, 2015

October 15, 2015

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”  Galatians 6:2-5

If you wonder, “Where did America begin to go wrong?” you can begin here with a misunderstanding or disregard of this Scriptural principle.

Biblical wisdom offered by Paul and inspired by the Holy Spirit says each of us must carry our own load but when the load gets too heavy we should be available to help lift the load for a while.

That is Christian love and compassion. That builds healthy relationships, healthy fellowships, healthy families and healthy people.

As I shared in the previous post, the Greek word used in these verses is a shipping term. A “load” denotes the capacity of a ship. So, when the entire capacity of a ship is filled with cargo that ship is said to be carrying its “load”. However, if more is added to that ship it will be burdened and becomes in danger of sinking. If that should happen then another ship would come next to it and help bear the burden of the load by taking on some of the cargo.

That used to be the norm for our American culture. Each American was expected to carry his own load. As a result each American developed a self-sufficiency and independence that led to citizens that were strong and proud. When a neighbor or family member became overloaded and burdened they would come alongside them to help bear the burden.

However, when that principle is not honored and people begin picking up the load of others in a misguided effort to help others they hurt them rather than helping them. When a person is not allowed or not expected to carry his own load his capacity for load carrying is diminished. Rather than becoming stronger and increasing his capacity for carry life’s demands he loses that capacity and becomes easily over loaded. In addition, the well-meaning person in trying to carry the load for another becomes unable to bear his own load.
Multiply that across scores of families in scores of cities and towns across the 50 States of America and it totals up to overloaded people, families stressed to the breaking point and thousands of needy people.

As people and families and towns and cities and states become overwhelmed, political leaders see an opportunity to expand their power by offering government assistance in carrying their load. But since government has not resources other than what they take from their citizens via taxes and fees, the financial load increases for everyone. It doesn’t take long for government to become larger and stronger while the citizens become weaker and more dependent.

Rather than developing Home Run People you have a system that develops strike out people.

When this Biblical principle is applied in individual lives, in families and in communities you have the benefits of Christian living. You have strong people and satisfied people.

But when you violate this principle in the ways mentioned above you have socialism or even communism.

As I have listened to the Presidential Candidates debates from both parties I have heard the candidates offering more promises of how they will use government to carry more of the load for individual citizens. Never mind a mounting debt over $19,000,000,000 and growing annual budget deficits continue to promise more. The increasingly more dependent citizens grow weaker and the State rapidly gains strength and dominance over those individuals. With every promise of security comes increased dependence and reduced freedom.

“What can I do about this?” you may be wondering. One thing you can do is Raise Home Run Kids! Take to heart the teachings of the last several weeks and apply them to your child rearing. Cultures are restored one healthy family at a time and one healthy church fellowship at a time!

Carry you own load. Raise children who are taught to carry their own load. Connect with a church fellowship that can encourage you and carry your burdens when necessary.