Be Your Brother’s Keeper

Be Your Brother’s Keeper!

And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9).

         How important it is for us to learn to be our brother’s keeper, and by that I mean looking out for one another. Hebrews 13:1 says “Let brotherly love continue.” Then in Romans 12:10, we’re urged to be “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love….”

       If you study in the book of Acts, you’ll see that the early Church was a model of Christian brotherhood. The Bible says “The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” (Acts 4:32). They looked after one another; there was no in-fighting or animosity, they provided for one another and were always there for each other! That’s the way God desires it to be.

       The Church of Jesus Christ is one big family and we all need to recognize this fact and then choose to honour, accept and celebrate one another! The Lord places far greater importance on our inter-personal relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ than most people realize. That’s why He says to us to “…be kind to everyone and especially to our Christian brothers” (Galatians 6:10TLB). That means we ought to give preference to our brothers and sisters in Christ and hold them in the highest regard.

       It’s your responsibility to look out for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If there’s been a brother or sister that you know, who seems to have strayed from the truth, instead of gossiping about it, get on your knees before the Lord and intercede for that one. Continue in prayer until he or she is restored back to fellowship with the Lord.

         You must have that brotherly affection towards your brothers and sisters in Christ. Esteem them highly. Use kind and pleasant words to address them. Remember, brotherly love is one of the virtues God says to add to your faith in other to live an effective Christian life (2 Peter 1:5-8). So, the way you treat fellow believers is key to your living a fruitful and productive life in Christ.

Confession

Dear heavenly Father, I’m glad that your love has been shared abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost! I’m full of that love and affection today, for my brothers and sisters in Christ! I thank you for the life you’ve given us, and the unity that we share, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 133:1, 1 Thessalonians: 4:9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 Year Bible reading plan: Luke 4: 1 – 13 , Deut 18 – 21

2 Year Bible reading plan: Mathew 24: 45 –51 , Ex 30