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Am I My
Brother's Keeper?
The title to this short article are the same infamous words
spoken to God by Cain, after he had killed his brother. The Lord had
asked Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” The response was, “I do not
know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).
Much could be said concerning Cain’s jealousy, lawlessness, malice,
murder, and lying. However, let’s think for a moment on Cain’s arrogant
question. No doubt he meant it to be a rhetorical one, the understood
answer being, “No -- I am not my brother’s keeper.” He could not have
been more wrong, however. And truly, God’s children today can not be
more wrong when they presume to be without responsibility toward their
brethren. In many ways, we are our brother’s keeper. God has given us a
commandment “that he who loves God must love his brother also,” and this
involves much (1 John 4:21).
For one thing, it involves my overall attitude toward my brother. His
“interests” should always be at the forefront of my mind -- in fact, I
should give “preference” to him (Phil. 2:4; Rom. 12:10). The apostle
Paul told the Corinthians, “let no one seek his own, but each one the
other’s well-being,” and then he provided himself as an example to
follow. He said, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your
souls” (1 Corinthians 10:24; 2 Corinthians 12:15).
But this attitude toward my brother leads to action. For instance, I
have a responsibility to “assemble” regularly with him, to “consider”
him “in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24,25).
When my brother rejoices, I should “rejoice.” When he weeps I should
“weep” along with him (Romans 12:15).
I should never engage in any activity if I am aware that such might
cause my brother to spiritually “stumble” (Romans 14:21). “Give no
offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit,
but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians
10:32-33).
Further, when my brother is “overtaken in any trespass,” I am to
“restore” him “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Even when he
“sins against” me I am to do this (Matthew 18:15).
When he is “in need” of “this world’s goods,” my heart must open up to
my brother. To sum it all up, I ought to love my fellow disciple so much
that I would lay down my life for him (1 John 3:16-17).
While I cannot answer for my brother in the Judgment day (2 Corinthians
5:10), yet I am in so many ways responsible to him in this life. I am my
brother’s keeper.
--Mike Noble
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