How many times have I read this passage and nodded along, saying, "Oh yeah, I get that," but apparently not really paying attention? Apparently, every time before this time, because all of a sudden, it occurs to me: we are to bear each other's burdens, but we are to each bear our own load. You said what?

Now it's handy that @kingdomsaint put the two Greek words into the notes, for this passage, so that I could read that we're talking about two completely different things words, here. Apparently "burden" in the Greek is "baros" a physical weight or hardship, which denotes the common afflictions of life. In contrast, "load" is "phortion" which is denoted as cargo, or the personal responsibilities that each one of us must bear before God alone.

Big ups to kingdomsaint for the definitions. So here's my thought, then: how often do we see a brother or sister struggling to deal with a problem in their spiritual life, and instead of helping them out, we judge them? Conversely, how often do we want assistance with task that God has given to us alone?

It's easier to stand aloof from someone who is struggling with ungratefulness, or anger, or envy, or lust - such a one is rarely fun to be around. You'll usually find a small (or large, God help us) group of people standing just over to the side, with plenty to say about the struggling brother or sister: "here's what he did yesterday", "did you hear what she said this morning?" Not helping. I need to repent of being in that group: rather than helping people with the weight they're already struggling to carry, I've added to that weight by heaping on judgement.

On the flipside, I also need to repent of often doing a poor job of fulfilling my own obligations to God. God has given me a load to bear, day by day, and some days I just don't want to carry it! Of course, if you were to ask me about positions of responsibility in the church that take up my free time and headspace, I'd be happy to tell you all about how selflessly and consistently I serve my God ... but I'm lying. If you test my work, it comes out patchy, just like everyone else's.

So this passage now serves as a personal lesson to me, though I've read it many times before: I need to watch how I treat my struggling brothers and sisters - to help them out, and not to make their lives harder. I need to serve my God with integrity, not boasting of my service, but working humbly and striving to be consistent.