What does it mean to bear with one another? Should we only bear with others so long as it doesn’t cost us anything? Should we only bear when it is convenient? How do we want others to bear with us when we make mistakes or are wrong?
Bearing with one another is challenging. It requires a committed faith in Jesus. It requires us to trust that God is fully in control. Our hearts must be right with God. Our minds must block out the screams for retribution from our culture.
Notice the Apostle Paul states we are to forgive one another. That is part of bearing with one another. Not only are we to forgive, but we are to forgive as God has forgiven us. Think about that for just a moment. How many sins has God forgiven of you? How egregious were some of those sins? Are you holding a grudge against someone else? Do you not think that is a sin and a lack of forgiveness?
Bearing includes suffering with others, helping them in their times of trouble, being someone they can lean on, and forgiving them when they sin against us. This is not only for those we like, it is for every brother and sister in Christ. We are to love all of them and demonstrate our love by bearing with them.
Not one of us is bearing the burden Jesus bore. We have no reason to complain about minor inconveniences in this life. The more we trust in God, the more we will see the true nature of bearing with one another.
I pray we all choose to trust God wholeheartedly. I pray we forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray each one of us will choose to bear with one another through all situations. Trust God wholeheartedly. Forgive one another. Do not complain. Bear with one another.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Marty Pressey 