OUR BROTHERHOOD
By John Waddey
All
Christians are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, having been
baptized into Christ (Galatians
3:26-27). Being children of a common Father, we frequently refer
to fellow Christians as our brothers and sisters (2
Peter 3:15). Our relationship in the church is set forth under
the analogy of a family. While tied together by blood, members of a
common family may live in separate places,. Although sharing common
parents, brothers and sisters can be strikingly different in
appearance, height, and size. Their taste in style and dress,
customs and manners can vary greatly. The costliness and style of
their housing and furnishings can be noticeably diverse. The same
differences are seen in the church. Our Christian brothers and
sisters are scattered around the earth. They are of different racial
and national origins and speak difference languages, yet all are “one
man in Christ Jesus” (Galatians
3:28).
All
Christians are members of the one church which Christ built (Matthew
16:18; Acts
2:47); but as family, we have different levels of maturity,
occupations, and skills. Our differences are seen in numerous areas.
We range from primitive to highly cultured, from uneducated to
highly educated, from poor to wealthy, weak to powerful, employees to
employers, and from young to old. One of the ongoing problems that
nags the church is our inability to understand tolerate such
differences as these. We must appreciate our spiritual kindred, and
to hold them in high esteem and to treat them as beloved brethren.
As
members of the brotherhood of the saints of God, there are certain
expectations incumbent upon us.
I.
Brotherly Love. “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews
13:1). Agape love is our new commandment (John
13:34). Without brotherly love, we cannot love God (1
John 4:20). Such love worketh no ill to his fellow Christian
(Romans
13:10). “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not;
love vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of
evil, rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the
truth…” (1
Corinthians 13:4-7).
II.
Brotherly Concern for Each Other. It is the common expectation
that brothers and sisters will manifest genuine concern for each
other. There should be concern for those who suffer, whether it be
mental or physical. This will be readily seen in solicitous care
and attention, visiting those sick and afflicted and bearing their
burdens (Galatians
6:2). It will be demonstrated in sharing with brethren who are
in need. Some may be in perpetual poverty, others in financial
distress because of sickness or disaster. We who are blest will give
to those in need (Ephesians
4:28) and gladly do so. Our love will reach out to encourage the
faint-hearted and discouraged (1
Thessalonians 5:14). We will, by all means, rally to the side of
the brother or sister persecuted for righteousness sake (Philippians
2:21-30).
III.
Brotherly Consideration. Children of the same parents must
exhibit consideration for each other if the family is to be happy and
remain intact. There must be allowance for individual thought and
opinion in a family. Brothers should feel free to ask their
questions (John
14:5-9). Treatment of other members must be fair and equal
(Matthew
7:12). Members must be honest in their dealing with each other
(Ephesians
4:25). Advantage must never be taken of one’s siblings. In a
happy and peaceful family, there is patient allowance for the
weaknesses and shortcomings typical of humanity (Ephesians
4:2). All of these considerations are of vital importance to the
well-being of God’s spiritual family.
IV.
Brotherly Cooperation, Fellowship and Support.
Among
the most visible and admired aspects of family life is the
cooperation, support, and fellowship of loving, loyal brothers and
sisters. In olden days, when most families farmed for their living,
this was especially evident. When one member was bothered by an
adversary, he had the support of his brothers. If there was a large
or difficult task to be done, all would lend a hand. Even when the
children were grown, with families of their own, they eagerly looked
forward to those family reunions where all the brothers and sisters
could be together. Oh how this spirit is needed in today’s church.
We are brothers—not competitors, not antagonists, not enemies to
be destroyed. We must never knowingly hinder another brother’s
work for Christ (Philippians
1:15-18).
Paul
pleads with us to be tenderly affectionate, one for another (Romans
12:10). With such care and concern, we can evangelize the world
for Christ, drive Satan from his conquered lands, and build up the
kingdom of Christ as never before. Without it, we are doomed to
failure.
V.
Brotherly Correction. A loyal brother will tell you when you
are wrong. He cannot stand silent while you do wrong or bring harm
to yourself. Jesus tells us, “If thy brother sins, rebuke him; and
if he repent, forgive him” (Luke
17:3). It was brotherly concern that prompted Paul to withstand
Peter when he gave way to social pressure and shunned the Gentile
brethren (Galatians
2:11-14). At times, this will entail the painful duty of public
censure and disfellowship (1
Timothy 5:20). Yet even then we must “count him not as an
enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2
Thessalonians 3:15)
In
a day when the church is as a city under siege, as a pilgrim band in
a hostile wilderness, we desperately need to understand and meet our
duties to our brothers and sisters in Christ. A scoffing, unbelieving
world delights to see us fragmented and at war within. Lost sinners
need to see a demonstration of the family of God into which they are
invited to come. A family filled with angry bitterness will turn
them away. Our young people and new converts need the loving care
and strength that a strong spiritual family can provide. Without it,
many of them will be discouraged and lost.
Let
not a single day pass without giving thanks for your spiritual
family. May we all walk worthily of our holy calling lest we bring
hurt and embarrassment to our family (Ephesians
4:1)
“I met a little maid, A rosy burden bearing;
‘Is he not heavy?’ I said, as past me she was hurrying.
She looked at me with grave, sweet eyes, This fragile little mother,
And answered in swift surprise: ‘Oh, no Sir, he’s my brother.’”
--Anonymous
“Brotherhood
is giving to others the rights you want to keep for
yourself…giving…the same dignity, the same full appreciation that
you want to have yourself”
--E. Clinchy
Hungering for Fellowship by Neal Pollard
I
just had a wonderful conversation with Terry Harmon, who grew up here
at Bear Valley and who is our missionary in Ukraine. We were talking
about an issue that is increasingly visible and vital all over the
world. Due to the threat of extremism, but especially liberalism,
many area-wide activities that at one time brought several
congregations together have nearly dried up and died. There are
places in this country and in countries across the world where such
activities still occur and meet with success, but on the whole we are
so fragmented and isolated. As a result, we know less and less about
each other and in too many cases we have built walls around our walls
that dampen a hungering and thirsting for each other’s company.
Certainly, to an extent, this reflects the culture and the
consequence of our ever shrinking world. Despite this being the
information age, it is also an age in which we can bury ourselves in
our own little worlds. Yet, many, who have the benefit of sweet
memory, can look back at the days gone by and fondly recall events
that brought us all together. Maybe it was an area-wide singing, a
lectureship, a youth event, or an evangelism campaign, but it got us
in touch with brothers and sisters from congregations in our area.
Doing that created ties that extended beyond the borders of our
building. Doing that gave us a truer sense of the universal nature
of the church. Doing that built our hope that we were not alone in
serving the Lord. Doing that increased our care for the well-being
of sister congregations.
For
many, the resumption of such activities would be novel and perhaps
even odd. There are the aforementioned limitations. Some people
speak a different language, theologically; i.e., their approach to
scripture is so different from our own that fellowship is
intrinsically hindered. Their “policy” or view on matters like
women’s role, who is a Christian, church music, and the like is
built from a different way of interpreting scripture. Tragically,
this barrier is most likely insurmountable. Factoring out such
congregations, as heartbreaking as that is, this still leaves a large
number of congregations who are teaching and preaching the same
gospel as we are. We need them, and they need us! We should crave
their fellowship and association. The first century church, despite
facing hardships through poverty, problems, and persecution, found
ways and means of fellowshipping one another. It began with the
first congregation taking time to foster and build that within the
fold (Acts
2:42ff). It displayed itself in cooperative efforts for the
needy saints at Jerusalem (Acts
11:29-30). It was seen in the attitude of congregations
regarding the work and efforts of other congregations (Acts
15:3). It was fostered by inspired writers like Paul and Peter
(Romans
1:8; 2
Corinthians 9:5; Ephesians
6:23; 1
Peter 2:17; 5:9).
The late Wendell Winkler often said later in life, lamenting the
increasing fragmentation within our wonderful brotherhood,
“Fellowship is precious!” We should be vigilant regarding false
teaching and neither foster nor tolerate it, but we must also,
brethren, hunger for fellowship with each other. Realize the great
tie that binds us together—the cross of Calvary and the precious
body of Christ. We are one in Him! Let our hearts and attitudes
reflect that realization wherever and whenever possible.
