Bearing One Another's Burdens

It isn't easy to bear the burdens of another - especially when that burden is a sinful habit or tendency. Confronting a brother or sister in sin can be difficult; however, the Scriptures clearly command us to do so (See Gal. 6:1-6). If we are ever going to truly be like our Master, we have to start loving one another enough to address sin.

Here's a link to a great article written ten years ago by Alfred Poirier (PCA pastor and Board Chairman for Peacemakers) addressing this issue and how to do it in a godly way.

An excerpt:

How to give criticism in a godly way:

* I see my brother/sister as one for whom Christ died (1 Cor. 8:11; Heb. 13:1)
* I come as an equal, who also is a sinner (Rom. 3:9, 23).
* I prepare my heart lest I speak out of wrong motives (Prov. 16:2; 15:28; 16:23).
* I examine my own life and confess my sin first (Matt. 7:3-5).
* I am always patient, in it for the long haul (Eph. 4:2; 1 Cor. 13:4).
* My goal is not to condemn by debating points, but to build up through constructive criticism (Eph. 4:29).
* I correct and rebuke my brother gently, in the hope that God will grant him the grace of repentance even as I myself repent only through His grace (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

HT: Justin Taylor