Nimes 13 – 4 – 22.
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, what manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, as thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, they were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord lives, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. Judges 8:18-19
God have a great interest and place a high value on his adoptive children on earth as he continue to work to establish, settle, strengthens and perfect them in his will. Likewise, Christ has once labored and died on earth to establish the church with certain gifted men for the five fold ministry for the perfecting of his brethren on earth. Moreover, we have a beloved brother Epaphras with the same mind of Christ, having a great zeal – tireless devotion for the brethren – Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you…for I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Colossians 4:12-13.
Apostle Paul will go on to testify of Timothy’s single and unselfish pursuit after the will and purposes of God in the lives of brethren by saying, I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you that I also may be of good comfort when I get word concerning you.For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your welfare. For all seek their own, not the things of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:19-21. Note: believers are the apple of God’s eyes – the object of his love: what is man that you are mindful of him? Are we mindful of our brethren in our conducts and other conversations? Mindful of the disappointments and discouragements or backsliding which our misconduct (s) can cause them! Do we really care of what emotional toll that can befall them by our unguarded, unscriptural and ungodly acts or word before we do or say such things? Therefore, if you bring your offering unto the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you; leave there your gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24. Do we value them as God values them? Do we esteem them as Christ esteems them? Is it not written, in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3. Is it not written to outdo one another in showing honor? Rom.12:10.
How do you treat your fellow heir of the grace of life? Honor all men, this include your brethren, low and high, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, male or female, young or old, white or black, for you are all brethren. God is working in them both to will and do according to his good pleasure: do you seek to collaborate with God in the operation of his hands in your brethren, so that they might be made perfect and complete in all the will of God? Or, do you seek to stop or destroys the works of God in them by envy and prideful behaviour to discourage them?
Whenever you come across the word ‘one or any of these little ones’ from the scripture, Christ is making a strong reference about his brethren (but whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6): great care should be taken on how you conduct yourself before them. Providing things honest – lie not one to another, seeing you have put off the old man with his deed: and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3: 9-11.
During the days of his flesh on earth, there are three non-negotiable things or issues about Christ, (a) the Father’s will, delight or pleasure which he has come to fulfill on the behalf of his brethren that they might be gifted with his righteousness: (b) the sanctity of the Father’s name and temple of worship: (c) his brethren care and safety. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear you not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows. Note: as Christ imitators, we ought to be passionate by the things that passionate Christ on earth – the Father’s will, delight or pleasure, for he says, I have come to do thy will O Lord: (b) the zeal of his house, the sanctity of the Father’s house, for we must know how to conduct or behave ourselves in the house of God, which is ground and pillar of truth: (c) we must have a great zeal for the brethren in the Lord.
The Lord will do anything to preserve and to prolong the life of any of his brethren, for the furtherance of his plans and purposes in them – since thou were precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Isaiah 43:4. Note: the zeal and the force shown by Christ to ensure the preservation of the former temple at Jerusalem for its proper use with a whip to chase out the buyers and sellers for the sanctity of God’s name, purpose and glory is nothing in comparison for his zeal, power and covering or the defense over his actual and present temple – his habitation through the spirit – the believer: Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. And then asked he them again, whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, of them which thou gave me have I lost none. John 18:4-9.
The believers’ are Christ spiritual brethren as the result of their faith in him for forgiveness of their sin and the salvation of their souls. God is their Father, and Christ is their oldest brother: (Jesus says unto her, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17): for it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews 2:10-12
Christ later gives us more clarification of the true identity of his brethren which has nothing to do with man’s traits or ancestry, color or tribe (then one said unto him, behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Mt.12:47-50. It is not about what you have as gift (s) or who you are (apostle, bishop, pastor, elder or prophet) in the kingdom: it is about what you do with the word of God in reverence – child-like obedient or arrogant disregard in partial obedient to the written eternal word of God – hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. Isaiah 66:5.
Love the brotherhood. 1 Peter 17 b. Some don’t even know or can’t even recognize the true brethren of the Lord if they see or meet them, this is the reason the Lord will also deny them entrance into heaven for their unconscious irresponsibility and insensitive and cruel disregards to the plight of those around them – then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Mt. 25:44-46.
It is on you to prayerfully, biblically and sensibly differentiate the wheat – children of God from the tares – children of Satan. You should be able to know the false brethren from the true brethren in the Lord. There are false brethren who are taking advantage of this sacred relationship – the brotherhood love of Christ to infiltrate the church to cause division and to scatter the flock. The bona fide – genuine children of the family will do anything and everything within their capacity for the edification, spiritual stability and uplift, encouragement, unity, welfare, well being, comfort, safety or security, peace, joy and spiritual growth of their brethren: look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4.
The brotherhood is a family issue concerning those who are members of Christ body, the representative children of God’s family on earth, bought by the blood of Jesus. If you are part of the true brotherhood of Christ, it is not possible to stop loving (he that loves not abides in death. 1 John 3:14) and helping (to him that know how to do good, and refuses to do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17) your brethren with all your knowledge, grace and experiences in order to further the cause of Christ in the beloved. To abandon them is to abandon Christ: to despise them is to despise Christ: to exploit them is to exploit Christ: to deceive them is to deceive Christ: to harden against them is to harden against Christ: to reject or accept them is to reject or accept Christ: to oppose and expel them from your company by jealousy, hatred and insecurity because of their gifts, is to oppose and restraint Christ will and purpose in them: to be proud to them is to be proud against Christ: for this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. 1 John 3:11-14.
The interest of the brethren should their brethren’s priority, charity begins at home. The brethren’s satisfaction and fulfilling should first be sought after: as you have opportunity, do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith – brethren. Gal: 6:10.
In the matters relating to the kingdom lifestyle, behaviors and mode, believers are to do everything for the edification of their brethren (2 Cor.12:19), women not putting on the attire of an harlot – exposed, short and seductive dresses to cause the opposite sex to lust after them (Pro. 7:10), while the young- single brothers, with all purity should avoid any appearances of evil with the younger sisters, treating them as they will do of their proper sisters at home (1 Timothy 5:1-2), – the elderly ones should be highly respected as we would our proper parents at home – in honor preferring one another. Romans.12:10 b.
Our devotion to the Lord and labor of love ministering to others should be indisputably seen as to provoke and inspire others (the brethren) to love and good works in the Lord. Hebrews 10:24: but we are not called to impress any of our brothers and sisters in the Lord as men pleasers or eye service, than to do all things heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for we serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24),
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold the judge stands before the door. James 5:9. So, each and every one of us ought to walk in the consciousness and consideration of the impact of our behavior or action as we make use of our rights, freedom, liberty and faith in Christ Jesus (it is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. And he that doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14: 21-23): otherwise, your liberty and faith can become a stumbling block or an occasion of sin to the weak brother, so it becomes a sin against you before Christ. 1 Corinthians 8.
And again, the Lord shall judge his people. Hebrews 10:30. He will judge and condemn the wicked brother for his wickedness against his fellow believer in the church. 3 John 1:9-11. God will judge and avenge the brother, the deacon, the pastor and the prophet who has taken advantage of fellow believer’s wife to defile them– for this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6. He will judge the envy and pride of the one against another. He will judge the rich sister who has taken another sister’s poor husband from the church to defile their home. He will judge the selfishness and misconducts done against one another as brethren. Ezekiel 34:17. He will judge the oppressors, the swindlers, the manipulators, the deceivers and those who enslave fellow brethren as bond men and women to exploit them (1 Cor. 7:23), and he will condemn and reward those who lord themselves over their brethren – God’s heritage. 1 Peter 5:3.
For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 1 Thess. 3:8. Like the faithful beloved Epaphras, a servant of Christ, zealous in laborious and fervent prayers for the brethren, that they may stand mature and complete in the entire will of God (Colossians 4:12-13): we should not only pray to God that our brothers will not do evil (2 Cor.13:7), but we should not rejoice in their fall or fault – sin. This is a sin against us – he that is glad (rejoice in his heart, publicizes to mock and tell abroad) at calamity shall not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5. This is as if we’ve been waiting and expecting the worst to happen to them, waiting for their spiritual fall, but this kind of evil thought and expectation against fellow brother or sister only annoy God and jeopardizes or endanger our relationship with him, for the terrible one is brought to naught, and they that watch for iniquity are cut off. Isaiah 29:20.
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph……2 Samuel 1: 20-21. Should we say to the world, lend me your ears, my fellow soldier has fallen in the battle, he’s been defeated by your master the devil? Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judge another? James 4:11-12. Is this not the very attitudes of so called Christians who are biting, devouring, consuming and destroying their fellow brothers and sisters on social media? Is this the will of God on the way to treat a spiritually fallen brother? Have we not been called upon to mourn for any of our brethren’s fall in prayer and fasting for restoration – perhaps? 1 Cor. 5:2.
Just as Christ our high priest can be touched with the feelings of our infirmity, let us likewise sympathize with the fallings and failures of our brethren through encouragement, counseling, fasting and prayers – this is their suffering, and if they weep in contrition for their sin, we should also weep with them. Rom. 12:15. Is not our Lord making intercession for the transgressors?
Though, Simeon Peter initially failed and fell in his betrayal of his Lord, but he was warned beforehand and encouraged to strengthen his brethren after his restoration. In the future, Simon Peter should not rejoice, nor should he be self-conceited, or puff up at the fall of any of his brethren who will be taken in any fault, for he himself is compassed with infirmity (Hebrews 5:1): but in the spirit of meekness, those who are spiritual should seek to help and to lift up those taken in a fault, back to their feet, knowing well fully that they are not standing by themselves either, – whosoever thinks that he stands, should take heed, lest he fall. Gal. 6:1-3.
Whatsoever God is doing in heaven, it is for the interest of his saints on earth – the brothers and sisters of his Christ, for he will soon send Christ for them to bring them home. Whatsoever Christ is presently doing in heaven, it is to make arrangement for his brethren, by preparing a place for them to be where he is. We should do anything and everything in our capacity to protect, advance, defends and to fulfill the will and purposes of God in the lives of the brethren (3 John 1:5-6); first, by daily and constant prayer over them: second, by making yourself a pattern of good works in all things as an imitator of Christ. Iron not sharpen iron, should you not make yourself available for the brethren – is not a brother born for adversity? Prov. 17:17. Are you your brother’s keeper or your brother’s destroyer’s in the Lord? Psalms 56:6.