Loving Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ
1 Thessalonians 5:14. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the [i]unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
We have been studying what Scripture has to say about love, and over the last several sermons; loving your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, so our relationship is different than, say, the relationship we have with a coworker, or neighbor. Several years ago, a simple story became famous, but it illustrates how our relationship with fellow Christians is different. You probably remember it.
Two brothers were walking together when the younger brother became tired. He asked his older brother to carry him. The older brother picked him up and continued walking. A man watching them smiled and said, "Son, he must be heavy." Without hesitation, the older brother replied, "He's not heavy; he's my brother."
Whether the story happened exactly this way or not, the point is unforgettable. The younger brother weighed exactly the same as any other child. The difference wasn't his weight. The difference was the relationship. When someone is family, you don't measure the load—you simply carry them.
Have you ever noticed how differently we treat family than strangers? If your child wakes up sick at 2:00 in the morning, you don't check your calendar before helping them. If your brother's car breaks down, you don't first ask whether it's convenient. If your mother needs help moving, you don't say, "I'm really not gifted in that area."
Family changes everything. We gladly do for family what we would never do for strangers. The amazing thing is that the New Testament calls the church a family over 200 times using words like "brothers," "brothers and sisters," "household of God," and "family."
And we've been studying all the ways that we are to love each other in passages all through the New Testament. These are all the ways we are to love each other.
Brotherly love pursues unity and peace, serves sacrificially, patiently bears with one another, forgives one another, speaks with grace and encouragement to one another, prays for one another, helps restore and strengthen spiritually, shows hospitality and generosity, honors and prefers one another, and bears one another’s burdens.
Today we are going to look at the last three.
Prayer
helps restore and strengthen spiritually carrying each other's load, shows hospitality and generosity, honors and prefers one another.
The church is not simply a gathering of people who believe the same things. It is a family. And families help one another because that's what families do.
Today we're going to see three practical ways we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Let's look at verse 2 first.
Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Next week we are going to look at loving our enemies to conclude this series. But when I thought of bearing one another's burdens it immediately reminded me of Jesus' command regarding bearing burdens. You remember that Jesus said, "If anyone compels you to walk a mile with them, go with them for two?" (give the background of that command)
Well, with brothers and sisters in Christ, it doesn't limit bearing the burden to one mile or even two. Galatians 6:2 says “Bear ye one another’s burdens” all the time. But what does that mean?
It means we are to sympathize with and assist each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. If there is anything that is a burden on a fellow believer, whether it is grief, or hunger, or car trouble, or anxiety, we are to pick up the load that they are unable to carry alone.
The apostle alludes to the custom of travelers, who, when too heavily laden with their baggage, relieve one another by bearing the burdens of the weak or fatigued, and in that manner show their good disposition toward each other. The verse concludes by saying,
and so fulfil the law of Christ. The law of Christ that he is referring to is Jesus’ command to His disciples, “A new command I give to you that you love one another.”
Now, how do you know if you are to share the load?
Galatians 6:5 5 For each one will bear his own load.
This passage is not saying that we should bear the load of someone who is able to carry it themselves. This is the part that requires a lot of discernment. Sometimes we are so anxious to help someone that we jump in and take on all the responsibility for a burden, that the person themselves is actually able to bear.
Sometimes helping them might mean helping them see how they themselves can bear their own load. But the principle is that if we have a brother or sister with a load that they can't bear themselves, we are to help shoulder the weight.
Now that was verse 2. But look back at verse 1.
Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Verse 2 tells us that we are to, in general, bear each other's burdens, in all circumstances. But in verse 1, Paul gives a specific circumstance where we are to bear one another's burdens; when a brother or sister in Christ sins.
This is a time that can be especially challenging. You see, it's one thing to help someone out when their weakness is physical, or even financial. But what about helping them out when their weakness is of their own making? They are in trouble because of sin. (Give some examples)
In those circumstances, we are tempted to say, "you got yourself into this mess, now you get yourself out."
But let's look at what Scripture says we are to do. We can break the verse down into the answers to 4 questions; What has happened to your brother? Who is to respond? What are you to do? What are you to be cautious about?
What has happened to your brother?
Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression,
"Caught in a transgression" or "overtaken in a fault" really paint us a picture of what has happened. It is as though your sister is running the race of faith, everything seems to be going well, then suddenly, out of nowhere, an adversary veers in and trips her, causing her to crash to the ground, bloody and wounded.
This is the brother who was walking in holiness, and then he is surprised with a temptation to sin. He is struck with what some have called, "a sin of rashness or sudden impulse." The sense is, that every man has special temptations and easily besetting sins, and these are an especially heavy burden. When they hit, anyone of us can be knocked off of our feet. He was trying to run, but the sin has reached him more rapidly than he could flee from it. And somehow, you are there, the Church is there to witness it.
(list sins that fit this)
Who is to respond?
Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
You who are spiritual are to restore them. Well, who is that?
"you who are spiritual" does not refer to a special class of elite Christians, church leaders, or people with extraordinary spiritual gifts. It refers to any believer who is currently walking in the Spirit and living in obedience to God.
"Those are people who have begun in the Spirit and are being perfected by Him. They are continually responding to the Spirit's ministry in their lives. They think spiritual thoughts and the Word of Christ dwells in them richly. Paul didn't say they are perfect. But those who are confessing their sin faithfully, obeying the Word of God, and seeking the Spirit's leading through prayer are obligated to help restore brothers and sisters in Christ who are caught in sin."
He also emphasizes that Christians fluctuate between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh:
"Christians are either one of two things at any one time: we are either spiritual or fleshly."
What are you to do?
Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
Restore. The word restore here is used in Matthew and Mark for “mending their nets.” It is also found as a medical term for setting dislocated limbs. Those are both beautiful word pictures. Some fellow Christian gets enticed, pulled away into sin. When we approach them, it is not with a mind to get rid of them. “Let’s get them out.” “You are the scum of the earth.”
Now let me qualify that statement a little. This verse is about believers caught in sin who are repentant and desire restoration. This is not saying that we restore people who have no desire to change, or submit to the discipline of the church.
But the idea is that you are mending the net, you are setting the bone. Why? So, they can be made useful again. They are torn, and broken. They need to be made whole. Correction with no feeling of resentment or thought of punishment, but with a single eye to the amendment of the offender.
And do it in the spirit of meekness.
Meekness is trusting God with your own problems and being patient with other people's problems. It doesn't argue with God, and it doesn't give up on people. It lovingly helps carry the burdens their mistakes create.
What are you to be cautious about?
Brothers, even if [a]anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Considering thyself.
Anytime we deal with sin in others we have to be careful about ourselves. First off, we should consider Jesus' words. Don't try to get a speck out of your neighbor's eye if you have a log in your own eye. You've got to examine yourself. Not that you are perfect, but you don't want to go and say to your sister, "you are a gossip" and have them retort, "you're one to talk."
But there's a second thing you should be thinking. We do not approach our brothers and sisters in Christ with a high and mighty, holier than thou attitude. (give examples of sins that others do, that I am also liable to commit)
In other words, “Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you.” You, too, are liable to fall, and then you would be glad of the same gentle restoration.
Here's a second way that we show love.
Romans 12:13 – "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
In a word, we are to be open in giving of what we possess, whether finances, time, possessions, or privileges to brothers and sisters in Christ. But let's answer some questions from this passage; What are we to do? Who are we to contribute to? What is hospitality?
What are we to do?
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Contribute, Distributing - The word used here denotes having things in "common" κοινωνοῦντες koinōnountes. We should regard our property as not our own but given to us to supply the needs of others. In the earliest times of the church, Christians had all things in common. Now, that didn’t mean that they sold everything and put it all in the church bank account.
Acts 4: 32 And the [x]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the [y]proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
As any need arose, those who had, shared with those who did not.
I Timothy 6: 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good [l]works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Who are we to contribute to?
To the saints. Now, this is not referring to a group of individuals canonized by the church. It is also not referring to "the super spiritual, humble, holy and good Christians" Scripture says that if you are a believer, if you are a Christian, you are a saint. Paul was writing to the church in Rome and this is how he greeted its members.
Romans 1:7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, we are to contribute to the needs and be hospitable to any who can be called a saint, which is any believer. And the word saints was often used not only for believers, but as a reference to the well-known poverty of the early Christian communities.
Acts 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your [f]saints at Jerusalem.
Acts 26: 10 And this is [c]just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [d]saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.
But, it is not just a contribution to saints, but...
"Contribute to the needs of the saints
Necessity: To the necessity - To the needs. That is, distribute to them such things as they need, food, raiment, etc. This is not a call to make everyone equal. The same word for needs is used in Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
It's the same idea that Jesus said, "seek you first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." "These things" are described in the previous verses as food and clothing, the basic necessities of life.
Contribute to the needs of the saints is not telling us to buy luxuries for each other, or make sure that every believer is equal in their possessions. Rather, he is observing that χρεία refers to whatever a believer genuinely requires or has use for. And it is not merely food and water. It is anything in life that is a necessity. It could be helping someone buy tools needed for work, providing clothing appropriate for employment, paying for transportation to church or medical appointments, supplying books or materials needed for ministry, helping with rent, utilities, or childcare.
I think it is summarized well in
Galatians 6:10, "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith."
The Christian is indeed to love all mankind, and to do them good as far as may be in his power, But he is to show particular interest in the welfare of his brethren, and to see that the poor members of the church are provided for; for,
What is hospitality?
"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
hospitality is much more than entertaining friends or hosting social gatherings. The Greek word literally means "love of strangers" (philoxenia), and Paul uses the verb "pursue" (διώκω), meaning believers are to actively look for opportunities to welcome and care for others. In the first-century church, this often meant opening one's home to traveling Christians, missionaries, persecuted believers, or those in need of food and lodging, since there were few safe places for them to stay. MacArthur emphasizes that biblical hospitality is a practical expression of Christian love and generosity. It is not about impressing guests with a beautiful home or an elaborate meal, but about using whatever God has given you—your home, your resources, your time, and your kindness—to meet the needs of fellow believers and to make them feel welcomed, cared for, and loved in the name of Christ. Hospitality, therefore, is not an occasional act but a lifestyle that intentionally seeks opportunities to serve others.
1 Peter 4:9-10 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God—
Last point,
Romans 12:10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, [h]giving preference to one another in honor,
Be kindly affectioned – devoted, The word used here occurs no where else in the New Testament. It properly denotes tender affection, such as what subsists between parents and children; and it means that Christians should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests.
Preferring one another.—Rather, perhaps, anticipating one another. The Christian is to take the initiative, and show honour or respect to others without waiting for them to show it to him.
Philippians 2:3-4 doing nothing [a]from [b]selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
This is brotherly love.
Love ever gives.
Forgives, outlives,
And ever stands
With open hands.
And while it lives,
It gives,
For this is love's perogative--
To give, and give, and give.