BEAR ONE ANOTHER

“bear with each other” Colossians 3:13

A short but powerful verse. What does it mean

It literally means in the Creek to hold up, to endure, to put up with, to tolerate, to be patient with. In context, Paul is talking about how believers should live together in love and unity. The nitty-gritty of living together in love. It means to endure each other’s faults and weaknesses, to be patient with one another, and to tolerate others in love even when they irritate or offend us. The truth about all communities, secular or sacred, is that they consist of people who are flawed. He lists straight after compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience straight after. These must express themselves through the act of forbearing. That does not simply accept the flaws and stop wanting to see people change. The fact is, none of us has it all together, and if we are going to live in community, we will have to learn to accept others as they are, not as we want them to be. Paul said in Galatians 6:2. Bear one another’s burdens’s and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ, which is love. Our faults and flaws become a burden for those around us. The struggles, problems, and weaknesses of those around us are not an obligation for us but an opportunity to demonstrate love and so to become more like Jesus in the form of compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience. As I often say, if someone gets on your goat, you have a goat to get. It's probably God trying to show you need to walk in love more. The problem is not the person who is irritating you. You are the problem. It's time to actually walk the talk and truly love each other. What better way than to bear with one another in love? That’s why he sticks us together. BEAR ONE ANOTHER