Bears

This is the story of two bears. In Scripture, other than the times where Its actually talking about the animal, like the she-bears who went after the children who mocked and insulted Elisha, the word generally has two connotations; to support and to expose.

Here’s The Word:

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

In this usage of the word, we see where although we’re IN Christ, we still are subject to situations that require help from one another. Situations from past desires preying on us in moments of weakness, situations where the strength of our faith fail us. Situations where we’re simply not able to keep our testimony in a progressive state.
James 3:2 in the ESV says “We ALL stumble in various ways.” Yet, there’s an expectation that these stumbles (and falls) would evoke a compassion from us as believers, to believers. Compassion, not more conviction and definitely not condemnation.
We also have to be careful not to oversimplify the meaning of bear down to indiscriminate acts of “tolerance”. Of course, we are considerate but we consider how to encourage one another to “higher”, gently.

Then there’s the other bear.

Here’s The Word:

1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Notice in verse 2 of the previous passage that we ‘bear witness’ according to the truth of the testimony revealed – both TO us, and IN us. It’s one thing to hear the truth of The Gospel, but quite another to “handle it with our hands”. This is one of those times where a word as simple as “handle” should make you want to know what’s really being conveyed. The Greek word is pronounced – psēlaphaō – and for clarification and illumination, it’s the word also used here: Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see – as well as – Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him.

It’s a more intimate verb context that conveys closeness. So we’re not bearing witness simply on the strength of the written word, but also on the impact that this written word has become something very real in our lives.

How's that for ‘bear necessities’ :)
This post was meant to be a little less heavy but just as thought provoking as others. It’s an encouragement to walk as Christ would have us to walk: We bear burdens, and we bear witness.


In Him,
Cros