Are You Your Brothers’ Keeper? - January 17

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Reflect

As the family of God, what responsibilities do we have towards each other?

Way back in the beginning, we were introduced to the first brothers, Cain and Abel. Tragically, we know how the story ends. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and anger. When the Lord asked Cain where Abel was, Cain infamously responded: “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper? (Genesis 4:9).

What about us? Are we expected to be our brothers’ keepers? Are we responsible for our brothers and sisters in Christ? Well, when we go back to the Bible, we see that while we are not ultimately responsible for the decisions individuals chose to make, we are responsible for one another in many ways.

In today’s verse, Paul described one of the ways we are called to “keep” our brothers and sisters in Christ. First, he urged the brethren (the congregation) in Thessalonica to “admonish the idle.” That means it isn’t only the job of the pastors and elders to encourage believers to get in the game. It is the job of fellow believers to come alongside those who are idle and urge them to be active participants in the life of the church. Some may need extra encouragement to share their spiritual gifts with the body. Others may be reluctant to support the church financially and need to be gently reminded of the importance. Some may be busybodies that are stirring up dissension and need to be redirected to spend their time in useful, productive service instead. Others may not want to work and expect to be supported by the labor and generosity of others.

Regardless of the details, it is the members of the congregation that are called upon to “admonish” those who would rather just sit and get. To “admonish” means to “warn or reprimand” someone. Now, that doesn’t mean we should think we have the right to be overly critical of our brothers and sisters in Christ. But we should care enough about them to warn them about the consequences of idleness and of not obeying the Lord’s command to actively participate in the body of Christ.

Apparently, idleness did become a problem in the church at Thessalonica because in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Paul wrote: “...if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

In addition to urging fellow believers to get off the bench and get in the game, Paul also told the Thessalonians to “encourage the fainthearted, help the weak.” There are believers in every church body who are not as confident or as strong in their faith as others. They may be fearful and anxious or they may simply be newer believers who haven’t grown and matured in their faith yet. Regardless, these people are more vulnerable to false teachers and more susceptible to sin. They are often the ones who need the most comfort and reassurance. Those of us who are bolder and stronger in the faith should be the first to come alongside those who are more timid and fragile. We should help them and protect them as well as work to build them up and strengthen their faith in the Lord.

Finally, Paul commanded the Thessalonians to “be patient with them all.” The reality is, church is a family and families are messy. Our churches are made up of all different kinds of people from all different backgrounds of all different ages. Some have been walking with the Lord a long time and some are brand new believers. But one thing we all have in common is that we are all sinners who have been redeemed and are at different places in our sanctification journeys. It can be frustrating and discouraging at times, but we are all called to be patient with each other (Ephesians 4:2)—mainly because He has been patient with us (Exodus 34:6, 1 Timothy 1:16).

You see, we do have responsibilities towards our brothers and sisters in Christ. As the family of God, we are to hold each other accountable, look out for one another, encourage and strengthen each other, help each other, and be patient with each other. So take good care of your church family. You are your brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.

Respond

Lord, I confess that there are some people in my church family who are frustrating and difficult to be patient with. But I know that You have given me a responsibility to bear with them and built them up in love. So, when I am struggling to care for a brother or sister in You, remind me of the boundless mercy, grace, patience, encouragement, and love that You have shown me and help me extend the same to them. Amen.

Reveal

What can you do this week to reveal the love of God in the way you “keep” your brothers and sisters in Christ?