DAILY TEXT, Thursday, November 13, 2025. Let us lay aside every burden (Heb. 12:1).

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Thursday, November 13, 2025

Let us lay aside every burden (Heb. 12:1).

The Bible says that Christians are in a race. Those who cross the finish line receive the prize of eternal life (2 Tim. 4:7, 8). We must exert ourselves to the utmost to keep running, for we have never been so close to the finish line. The apostle Paul mentioned what can help us reach the goal. He said: “Let us also lay aside every burden, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Paul wasn't saying that Christians shouldn't carry any burdens, but rather that we should get rid of any unnecessary ones. These kinds of burdens slow us down and tire us out. To stay in the race, we must see if we are carrying any extra weight and let it go immediately. But there are other burdens that are necessary and we shouldn't neglect them. If we did, we would be eliminated from the race (2 Tim. 2:5).

According to Galatians 6:5, what should every Christian wear?

(Read Galatians 6:5). In this verse, Paul mentioned something every Christian should carry: “their own load of responsibility.” What did he mean by this? He meant the spiritual responsibilities we have before God, responsibilities that no one else can carry for us. We will look at some things included in our “own load of responsibility” and what will help us carry it. We will also discuss some unnecessary burdens we may be carrying and what we can do to get rid of them. It is important that we don't carry more than we need and only take what is necessary, because in this way we can cross the finish line and receive life.

Why is the promise of dedication not a heavy burden?

The promise of dedication. When we dedicate ourselves to Jehovah, we promise to worship him and do his will. And we must, of course, keep our word. Although it is a great responsibility, dedication is not a heavy burden. Why? Because Jehovah created us to do his will (Rev. 4:11). He instilled in us the desire to know and worship him, and he also made us in his image. That is why we can draw close to him and find great joy in doing his will (Ps. 40:8). And not only that, when we do what Jehovah wants and follow the example of his Son, we find relief (Matt. 11:28-30).

What will help him to fulfill his dedication? (1 John 5:3).

What will help you to bear that burden? First, strengthen your love for Jehovah. Meditating on all he has done for you and the blessings he will give you in the future will increase that love. And the more you love God, the easier it will be to obey him. You will feel that his commandments are not an impossible burden to bear. (Read 1 John 5:3.) Second, imitate Jesus. He was able to do God’s will because he prayed to him for help and kept his reward in mind. (Heb. 5:7; 12:2) Like Jesus, ask Jehovah for strength and keep in mind the hope of living forever. By strengthening your love for Jehovah and imitating his Son, you will be able to fulfill your dedication.

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