As Black people, we have a history of being very forgiving and compassionate about the needs of our fellow man. We have survived against the odds because of our special relationship with the almighty.
In 1998, I traveled to Johnassesburg, Durban and Captown to see first hand what aparthied had done to generations of Black people. But as the walls of this racial sickness have come tumbling down, we all hoped that both black and white children would finally be given the same chance.
Dr. King, if he were alive, would not tolerate the mistreatment of any race at the hands of another, despite what ever may have happened in the past.
"AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?"
Genesis 4:9
1. Perhaps one of the more thought-provoking questions in the Bible is
that one asked by Cain:
a. Cain had killed his brother because God had accepted Abel's
offering, but not his own - Gen 4:3-8
b. When the Lord inquired concerning Abel, Cain's response was:
"Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9)
2. This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves today...
a. Are we our brother's keeper?
b. Do we have a responsibility to watch out for and care for one
another?
[When one turns to the New Testament, it becomes clear that the answer
is in the affirmative. In fact, there are many passages which
emphasize...]
I. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ONE ANOTHER
A. WE ARE TO "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"...
1. As commanded by Jesus - Jn 13:34-35; 15:12,17
2. As taught by Paul - Ro 13:8; 1Th 4:9
3. As instructed by Peter - 1Pe 1:22
4. As stressed by John - 1Jn 3:11 (note v.12), 23; 4:7,11-12;
2Jn 5
-- But how are we to express such love? Other passages can
provide the answer...
B. HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...
1. We are to "receive one another" - Ro 15:7
2. We are to "edify another" - Ro 14:19
3. We are to "serve one another" - Ga 5:13
4. We are to "bear one another's burdens" - Ga 6:1-2
5. We are to be "forgiving one another" - Ep 4:32
6. We are to be "submitting to one another" - Ep 5:21
7. We are to "exhort one another" - He 3:12-13
8. We are to "consider one another" - He 10:24-25
9. We are to be "hospitable to one another" - 1Pe 4:8-10
[In light of such "one another" passages, is there any doubt that we
are to be our brother's keeper?
But how well are we doing? To stimulate our thinking and help us
re-examine how well we are fulfilling our obligations to one another,
consider the following questions...]
II. EVALUATING OUR ROLE AS OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER
A. WHEN ONE BECOMES A BROTHER...
1. Do we receive them into the family of God, or ignore them?
- Ro 15:7
a. Are they properly assimilated in the family life of the
congregation?
b. Do they remain on the fringe?
-- If we do not even know their names, we can be sure that we
are failing as our brother's keeper!
2. Do we edify them, or put stumblingblocks in their way?
- Ro 14:19
a. As individuals, are we "body-builders", encouraging the
members of the body?
b. Or are we like a cancer, weakening the members of the body
of Christ?
1) By our own example
2) By our words, attitudes, etc.
-- It was said of Philemon that he refreshed the hearts of the
brethren; do people say the same of us?
3. Do we submit to them, or arrogantly rule over them? - Ep 5:21
4. Do we serve them in love, or expect them to serve us?
- Ga 5:13
5. Do we demonstrate hospitality to them? - 1Pe 4:8-10
a. By visiting them in their need?
b. By inviting them into your home (or accepting invitations
to their home)?
B. WHEN A BROTHER IS OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT...
1. Do we even consider them? - He 10:24-25
a. Are we even aware of who they are?
b. Are we ignorant of their problems? If so, why?
1) Maybe it is because we don't assemble enough ourselves
2) We may "wonder about them", but that is not sufficient!
c. Do they drift away, with no one making an effort to reach
them?
2. Do we exhort them, lest they become hardened by sin? - He 3:
12-14
a. Or are we afraid to confront them, for fear of running them
away?
1) If we truly love them and approach them with humility,
they are not likely to run away
2) If they do, they are running away from God, not you!
b. Remember, such exhortation is to be daily! Perhaps we wait
too long...
3. Are we willing bear their burdens? - Ga 6:1-2
a. So as to help them overcome and become stronger
b. Or do we rather not be bothered?
4. Are we quick to forgive them when they repent? - Ep 4:32
a. Fear of not being forgiven and accepted back into the
family may keep some from repenting and returning to the
fold
b. Do we communicate a willingness to accept with open arms
and offer complete forgiveness?
CONCLUSION
1. How we answer such questions may reveal how well or poorly we are...
a. Fulfilling our responsibility to be our brother's keeper
b. Living up to the one responsibility we have that includes all
others: to love one another as Christ loved us - Jn 13:34-35
2. If we have failed to be our brother's keeper, we need to...
a. Repent of our lack of concern, our inactivity, or whatever has
hindered us
b. Confess our shortcomings in this area to God
c. Resolve to apply with zeal these "one another" passages!
Are you your brother's keeper? Are you even identified with a
congregation whereby you can be a working member who both cares for
those in the family, and be cared for by them?
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