“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:11).

Almost everyone is aware of that fiery Biblical incident, “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). Cain had just murdered his younger brother Abel, something he thought was all out of view, only for the Lord to bring to his attention that he was actually meant to look out for him. He would suffer consequences for that. “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” ( vv 11).

If there was a relation which clearly showed what the Lord here had in mind there is that of Jonathan and David. As the son of King Saul, Jonathan was in direct line for succession and could have seen David as a rival. Instead he made a pact to watch his back. “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself'’  ( I Samuel 18:1-3).

This was not just for passing. At one point Jonathan would put his life in danger for his brother. When Saul made his intentions very clear, he objected, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him” ( I Samuel 20: 32-33).

But why does all this count to us! God has placed brotherly relations around us for a purpose. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” ( Proverbs 27:17). Further, we are reminded, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” ( Mathew 18:15). This means that where we notice a matter of concern if someone is truly your brother in Christ go and share that concern with him confidentially in person, other than just letting it pass or worse still, carelessly discussing it elsewhere, only to cause greater harm and hurt in the end!

Unlike Cain, lets resolve to be “our brother’s keeper!”

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you have given us brothers and sisters in Christ, that we may lift up one another and watch out for each other’s back to your glory, and may you help us to be always conscious of this, for your kingdom’s glory, this we pray in your holy Almighty name.