The Duties of a Brother [or Sister] #1

"...warn those who are unruly..." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

This 14th verse in the 5th chapter of the book of 1Thessalonians contains four exhortations from the apostle Paul. Everyone of them makes us accountable for our brothers [and sisters] and shows us what Christ's command in John 15:12, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, looks like in action. Today we look at the first one.

...warn those who are unruly; caution or reprove gently those who are disorderly, irregular, or neglectful of duties.

In order for us to this, we must first be rid of the attitudes some of us have or display when we see a brother or sister on Christ out of line with what the Bible has commanded for our lives. Those attitudes are ones such as "it's none of my business"; "That's on them;" "I've got my own problems;" "They know better so they should have done better;" "They won't listen to me anyway;" etc., etc., etc.

We display these attitudes and take these stances against people the Bible tells us we're supposed to love unconditionally, people we're supposed to want the best for, and we actually try to justify it. But yet, I guarantee you that every single one of us can pinpoint a moment in our lives where someone warned us about something we were doing that was wrong and we are now a better man or woman of God for that warning. If y ou can pinpoint such a moment, then consider this: how malicious is it for any of us to not be willing to do the same for someone else?

At some point, and in some cases, at many points, throughout a Christians lif, correction is going to be needed: real correction, biblical correction, life changing, sin defeating correction. We can't rely on anyone other than another Christian to provide this because anyone else is only going to be able to give us worldly correction which can only worsen our situation. It's our responsibility to warn our brothers and sisters; if we're not willing to do so, we'll never be able to truly say that we love the way the Bible says to. From biblical love will flow a desire to see your brother do the best he can and be the best he can. But, how can any of us do this if those who are supposed to care the most for us don't care enough to warn us when we are out of line.

And I know we always run the risk of a person rebuffing us, ignoring us and sometimes even pointing out a flaw in us because they're upset that we warned them about something they were doing. But's that none of our concern. What they do with the waring we issue is up to them, it's up to us to issue it and issue it correctly. It's our job to issue it lovingly, and with compassion, so as not to offend, but also firmly so that the seriousness of the warning can be understood.

Christ commanded us to love; Paul is showing us how certain areas of our love should look and urging us to be there for our brothers and sisters. Today, let's be obedient to the commands of our Lord and Savior and receptive to the urging of his apostle who he sent forth to teach and instruct us. Today, let's love every member of Christ's family like Christ has loved us. Let's love unconditionally; let's be as concerned with the lives, wellbeing, growth, and progress of our brothers and sisters as we are with our own. Today, If you see someone unruly, warn them and be willing to help them get back in line. It's what our Lord dies for us, how dare we not do it for others.

Prayer for the day: Dearest Lord, we give you thanks for the love you have for all of us. Give us the courage and the love to warn our fellow Christians when they stray from the Way of our Lord. Open our ears to hear when we are the one who need the warning. Help us to live in community in your love. Amen.