Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

"Mind your own business" is not a biblical maxim. "Carry each other's burdens" is.

The apostle Peter advises, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). We have a caring God. He cared enough to send His Son for our redemption. His Spirit moves us to express His care. If we want to be like Him, it is essential that we care for one another.

God has put us into the church--a community of faith--so we may help each other stay on the path to heaven. The principle given the ancient church applies to us today as well: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently" (Galatians 6:1).

"It's none of my business" is almost never true. What others do affects us, and what we do affects others. We have the responsibility to speak and act on behalf of Jesus Christ for the benefit of others. God has made it our business to do that.

We need the care of other loving Christians, and they need our care. God directs, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

PRAYER: Dear Lord, heavenly Father, let every contact with every human being be an opportunity for me to communicate the love of Christ. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 26-27    Ephesians 6

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