The Lodestar

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul argues that the Law of Moses that the Jews followed is good but not useful for the salvation of our souls. However, Christ has achieved what the Law could not through his sacrificial death on the cross.

Followers of Christ live saved by their faith in Jesus’ death; they have to continue their lives in obedience to the law of Christ or the law as Jesus taught. Jesus not only taught the new truths of the kingdom but also lived by them. He exemplified them for us.

Jesus Christ carried our burdens on the cross: “(He) gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Gal 1:4).

We need to translate Christ's example into our relationships. The law of Christ demands that the stronger share the burden of the weaker. “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom 15:1).

People crossing torrential rivers do that by holding each other's hands. The current may take the one standing on his own, but not the group who have clutched each other's hands. The stronger one can always pull the one who has lost his foothold.

Believing communities are people passing through the treacherous terrain of this earthly life together. They need to hold on to each other and share burdens so that the weak do not crumble under the weight of their burdens. In the end, we reach eternity's shore together.

Think of someone who may need a word of encouragement, a visit, an assuring word from you, and do it to fulfil the law that Christ modelled for us.