Love Like It’s Heavy: Why Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Is the Real Gospel
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 NKJV
It was late on a rainy Friday night when I got a call from a friend in need. Their voice trembled as they asked if they could come over. They didn't say much, just that they were overwhelmed. When my friend arrived, they sat on the couch, eyes red from crying, and whispered, "I just needed to not be alone tonight." I didn't have the perfect words, and I wasn't sure what to do, but I sat beside them, made some tea, and we prayed together. That night, I realized something powerful: loving like Jesus often looks less like sermons and more like silence, presence, and shared tears.
This is what Paul meant in Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." But what exactly is the "Law of Christ"?
The Heart of the Law: Love Lived Out
The Law of Christ is beautifully simple, yet deeply challenging: love others the way Jesus has loved you. In John 13:34 (NKJV), Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." That's not just friendly affection or social kindness. It's selfless, sacrificial, and often inconvenient love, the kind that shows up when it's hard, not just when it's easy.
Historically, Jesus spoke these words the night before His crucifixion. He had just washed His disciples' feet, an act usually reserved for the lowest servant. In that moment, Jesus wasn't just giving a command; He was demonstrating the very law He was inviting them to live by.
So when Paul talks about carrying each other's burdens, he's saying, This is how we fulfill the essence of Christ's law by stepping into each other's pain, struggles, and stories, and offering our presence, our love, our hands and hearts.
Love Beyond Convenience
Let's be honest, love like that can be messy. It means being available when it's inconvenient. It means choosing grace over judgment. It means being okay with not having all the answers but still showing up.
"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." — Philippians 2:4 NKJV.
Paul wrote this verse during his imprisonment. Despite his hardships, he was focused on encouraging believers to live selflessly, modeling the attitude of Christ, who "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death" (Philippians 2:8 NKJV). That's the standard; it's not easy, but it's beautiful.
When we live out this kind of love, we become a walking reflection of Jesus in a world that's desperate for grace. It's not about being perfect. It's about being present, being real, and letting Christ's compassion flow through us.
Practical Ways to Fulfill the Law of Christ
How do we actually do this? Here are a few ways to practice the Law of Christ in daily life:
Be interruptible. Love often comes disguised as an interruption. Pause your plans when someone needs you.
Listen deeply. Don't rush to fix, just listen. Sometimes the most healing thing we can offer is presence.
Forgive quickly. Holding onto resentment blocks love. Let go, not because it's easy, but because love leads us there.
Pray intentionally. Ask God daily: "Who needs my love today?" Let Him guide your heart.
Step into someone's story. Whether it's a meal, a message, or a moment of kindness, choose to carry part of someone's load.
We Are the Church in Action
The early church thrived not just because of powerful preaching, but because of radical, Jesus-shaped love. They shared everything. They cared for the sick, the poor, and the outcast. This wasn't an obligation; it was an overflow. They had encountered the love of Christ and couldn't help but pass it on.
We're called to do the same, not out of duty, but out of devotion. When we bear each other's burdens, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We become proof that love still heals, still hopes, still shows up.
A Love That Transforms
The Law of Christ isn't a rulebook; it's a way of life. It invites us into a deeper connection with God and with each other. And the more we live it out, the more we discover that this love not only changes others, it changes us.
So today, ask yourself: Who can I show the love of Christ to? Who's carrying something too heavy alone?
You don't have to fix everything. Just be there. Listen. Pray. Hug. Hold space. That's how burdens get lighter. That's how the law of Christ is fulfilled.
Make It Happen Today:
Let today be the day you choose to carry someone's burden, even in a small way. Reach out to that friend. Offer a prayer. Give someone your undivided attention. In doing so, you're not just helping them, you're walking in the very footsteps of Jesus.
✍️ Quick Challenge: Fill in the Verse & Reflect
Complete Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) by filling in the blanks:
“________ one another’s __________, and so __________ the law of __________.”
(Need a hint? Flip back to the scripture section!)
✅ Answer:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
💬 Now reflect in one sentence:
What does this verse mean to you personally, right now?
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Heavenly Father, teach me to love with a heart like Yours—willing to carry what’s heavy, even when it’s not mine. Help me to see the burdens others bear and not look away, but step in with grace, presence, and compassion. Draw me deeper into Your love so that I may reflect it more fully in the lives around me. Let my daily life become a living prayer that fulfills the law of Christ—one quiet act of love at a time.