“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 NKJV
In almost everyone’s childhood, there was a student who would play the most in class but still manage to make the best grades. Teachers will usually advise this student’s friends to avoid him because he would mislead them to play in class, while he reads when everyone is asleep.
This is the ‘every man for himself’ approach that many of us had towards our academics while growing up. Unfortunately, many still apply the same approach towards their walk with God. They do not allow themselves to be held accountable to anyone, neither are they accountable for anyone else.
Some even justify this mindset using wrong theology when they make statements like, ‘Salvation is personal.’ Friends, this is not what the Bible teaches. Our anchor text instructs us to look out for our brothers and sisters in the faith. You must be genuinely concerned about the progress of your siblings in Christ.
Do you notice when a brother or sister is absent from service? Do you reach out to them? Are you genuinely saddened by the news of a fellow believer backsliding? When God told Samuel that He had rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience, the Bible tells us that Samuel cried out to God all night (1 Samuel 15:11). This is how we ought to respond to the news of a brother or sister battling with inconsistencies.
You also have the responsibility to strengthen a fellow believer whom you find to be weak or struggling in his or her faith and you must do this in love (Galatians 6:1-2). You should not keep silent when you find a brother or sister in Christ, in error. With a genuine desire to help, you must approach him/her with love, reminding them of their identity in Christ (Matthew 18:15-17).
We see Paul confronting Peter when he pretended not to eat with the Gentiles because he was afraid of the Jews’ reaction (Galatians 2:11-13). As tempting as it may be, to overlook the wrongs of a fellow believer perhaps because of your relationship with him/her, the Bible instructs us otherwise. You cannot genuinely care for your brother and allow him to continue in sin.
Dear believer, you must allow yourself to be accountable to others and also ensure that you keep others accountable. By doing this, we can all experience progress and joy in the faith together.
PRAYER: Lord, I submit myself to be corrected by other believers. I don’t walk in isolation. I strengthen others and I am strengthened by my brethren.
Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 51-52