"Am I my brother’s keeper?" - Part 2

In Part 1, we learnt that Cain killed his brother, Abel, out of jealousy because God had found Abel’s sacrifice acceptable, but had rejected Cain’s. After the murder, the Lord asked Cain where Abel was and Cain replied, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

We are our brother’s keeper in the sense that we should not commit violent acts against them or allow others to do so if we can prevent it. This is what God expects of us, on the grounds of both justice and love. But Cain’s reply reeks of a complete lack of any kind of feeling for another human being, not to talk of the absence of brotherly love. His response suggests a kind of selfishness that breeds disaffection and hatred.

How Can We Be Our Brother's Keepers?

Firstly, we are not to hurt or harm them, not even with our words, like gossip and “quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder” (1 Corinthians 12:20). 

Secondly, we are to show brotherly love toward them with a tender heart and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8). For Christ gave His life for them and we’ve got to “keep” them for His sake.

1 Corinthians 13 speaks a lot about love, reminding us that love is even greater than faith and hope. The New Testament encourages us severally to love one another (Hebrews 13:1; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9). Sometimes, our love should correct, admonish or reprove (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15; Matthew 18:15) but it is to be done with the goal of reconciliation. We are to extend our love to all the other human beings, regardless of race, cultural and religious background. The commandments in the Scriptures are summed up as follows: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27 Leviticus 19:18).

Paul the apostle wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15).

Jesus is our quintessential brother’s keeper. He is the good shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). Jesus has given us an example to follow in serving our brothers (John 13:15).

How can we show that we are Brothers’ Keepers?

1.      Let us use our divine gifts and calling to minister to and build each other and the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).

2. Let us eschew selfish ambition or vain conceit, but humbly respect others (Philippians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 13).

3.      Let us share practical help to others in need (Matthew 25:34-40, James 2:15-17).

4.      Let us do away with falsehood and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; 5:25); encouraging each other daily (Hebrews 3:13, 10:25) with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19).

5.    Let our freedom not be a stumbling block to those who are weak among us (1 Corinthians 8:9).

6.   Let us lovingly and prayerfully confront, reconcile and bring back our brethren living in sin, to God (Matthew 18:15-17, James 5:19).

7.      Let us continually pray and intercede for others (Philippians 4:6).

The list is not exhaustive by any means but at the end of each day, as we recount the goodness of the Lord and utter our prayers, it may be to our good to look back, reflect and ask ourselves, “How have I become a brother’s keeper today?” At the start of the new day, we should ask God for leading and enablement, “How should I become a brother’s keeper today?”