Romans 12 is a popular chapter because of the first two verses.  As we continue reading we come to an important group of verses.  Verses 9-21 gives us “Characteristics of a Christian.”  They are short straightforward identification marks that can be seen in a Christian.

I want to focus on one of those identification marks found in verse 15, we are to weep with them that weep.  This is a very convicting verse because it shows how little we weep for others.  We may say that we are praying for someone to be saved, but when was the last time we have wept for them.  We may say that we are praying for revival in our country, but when was the last time we have wept for our country.

Weeping is mentioned forty-four times in forty-one verses.  It means to wail or to sob.  It is something that will happen when we get close to someone and their situation.  The absence of tears should reveal to us that when someone is hurting we distance ourselves from them.  We must invest ourselves in the lives of others.

Jesus wept.  He is our example.  I believe that He wept because He felt the grief from the family and friends of Lazarus.  Jesus also rejoiced when He was at the marriage feast in Cana.  We enjoy that part, but we should not neglect the latter part of the verse.  

There are many things that is missing from modern day Christianity.  One of those things that is missing is tears.  It also shows that we are not carrying a burden for and with others as we should.  I want you to consider the word, “BURDEN” as we meditate on Romans 12:15.  As we consider the word, “BURDEN” there will be some thoughts will help us as we help others and thoughts that will help us with our burdens.

Burden Bearer:  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2  We are to be burden bearers.  We must not distance ourselves from others, but we must invest our lives into the lives of others.  This means that we will be moved emotionally.  

Unbearable:  There are many things that we will encounter that will be greater than us, but never greater than Jesus.  

Real:  Do not make light of the burdens others are carrying, nor of the ones you are carrying.  What do I mean by that.  Is it true that if you were close to God you would not carry any burdens.  No.  In fact the closer you get to them the more burdens you may end up facing.  When we get to the letter “E” we will talk more about this.

Discouraging:  David faced discouragement.  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.  Psalm 56:3  We like the second part of that verse, but do not ignore the first part.  The man after God’s own heart faced fear.  That is discouraging.  Instead of focusing on His fears he trust God.  The sin is not in being discouraged, but it is in not trusting God with our discouragement and our burdens.

Endure with God’s help:  The book of 1 Peter can be entitled, “A Call to Faithfulness.”  Peter was helping a church that was facing difficult trials.  1 Peter 5:6-7 gives us some help in this matter.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  This church had real burdens.  Peter did not make light of them.  He just told them something that helped him in his personal life.  He said humble yourselves, then cast your burdens.  Why was humility mentioned?  Because we think we can handle it.  We believe our silence is strength.  It will not be long before we have to much to handle and become overwhelmed.  What we need to do instead of carry we need to cast.  We will not cast our burdens to Jesus until we humble ourselves.

Not in Heaven:  We can debate all we want about the fact that the Lord will dry all of our eyes when we are in Heaven.  The fact is when we enter Heaven’s gates we will deposit all of the burdens we have now.  We can look forward to Heaven because we know we will have no more burdens.  Until then we are to be burden bearers.  Until then we must be moved to tears with those who are broken and battered by life.  May God help us see that we must weep with them that weep.