 
THE BROTHERHOOD AND YOU
When a believer is clothed with Christ in baptism he becomes a member of Christ's church (I Cor. 12;13). He is thus a member of God's universal family of saved people throughout the world. He is also a member of a local congregation where he will worship and serve (I Cor. 1:1-2). It is easy to love and be concerned with those with whom we are in immediate contact. It is more difficult to care about folks we do not know. Yet it is part of our Christian duty to "love the brotherhood" (I Pet. 2:17). Wherever there is a true child of God, he or she is my spiritual kinsman and I must be concerned for his well-being.
I. We must see ourselves as members of the brotherhood. This brings us both privileges and responsibilities. Paul likens the brotherhood to a great body. Each member has a distinct role to fill and contribution to make for the benefit of the whole (Rom. 12:4-5). No man is an island to himself. We must feel compassion when brethren in India are hungry We must pray for oppressed brethren in China. We must help brethren when natural disasters strike their homes. We must rejoice when their work prospers and weep when it languishes. We may never seen their faces, but they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We owe them our concern.
II. We must love the brotherhood (I Pet. 2:17). To those we love, we are kind, considerate and solicitous. Such should be our attitude toward fellow Christians. We should prefer one another (Rom. 12:10). Never would we knowingly hurt or harm those we love. Responsible brethren will not slander the name of their kinsmen. They will always give them the benefit of the doubt when some evil charge is raised. Their love will cover a multitude of sins (I Pet. 4:8). They would rather restore fallen brethren than kick them (Gal. 6:1-2). Because we love the brotherhood we do not despise those brethren who differ with us. Rather, we "have great sorrow and unceasing pain in (our) heart" when discord and divisions arise (Rom. 9:1-2).
III. We need to keep informed about our brotherhood. It is sad to see folks who care nothing for their families and their well-being. Christians must be concerned about their spiritual family. Read several brotherhood journals so as to have a broad, balanced view of what is happening. Go to our lectureships and workshops. Get to know your family. Rejoice in the fellowship. Gospel preachers should attend their local preacher's meetings and area-wide fellowship activities. Its hard to love someone we do not know!
IV. It is important to participate in brotherhood activities. There are good works that are too big for a single congregation to accomplish. Always try to be involved when area-wide or brotherhood projects are undertaken. Do so as a matter of policy because you are part of the body. Be "zealous of good works" (Tit. 2:14). Of course there is a limit to what we can do. Participation is always on the basis of "as much as in you lieth" (Rom. 12:18). Also you should not engage in activities unless you can do so in good conscience (Rom. 14:22-23). If there is a project about which you will have scriptural doubts you should abstain from helping.
V. Be concerned with brotherhood problems and problem children. Be assured that your work will be affected by them. Satan never lets us rest. Each wave of controversy is always followed by another. So keep your eyes and ears always open. Ignorance is a most dreaded disease, frequently fatal. Many preachers have been caught in the net of false teachers because they were not aware of danger beforehand. Congregations who refused to listen to early warnings of trouble have found themselves affected thereby.
While we want to know "what's going on in the brotherhood," we do not want to be encouragers of idle gossip, prejudicial comments or jealous criticism. Some folks try to win battles by pinning labels on those with whom they disagree. If they can't answer a man's arguments they just call him a liberal or an anti. Such is dishonest and must be rejected.
VI. Always be prepared to defend the brotherhood against its enemies whether within or without. Paul was set "for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16).
VII. Work for the peace of the brotherhood. We are plagued with a multitude of men who love strife and controversy. Jesus placed his blessing on the peacemakers (Matt. 5:9). Pray for the peace of our heavenly Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6). Never let a day pass lest you pray for the brotherhood. Pray not just for your friends and home congregation, but for all of God's children; even those you don't like. Great is the need for prayers of righteous people for the church (Jas. 5:16).
VIII. Do not allow folks to pressure you into brotherhood cliques or factions. Love all of your brothers and sisters. This is good advice for your congregation but also for your relationship to the brotherhood. Do not let powerful men dominate you, your thinking or your work. You have liberty in Christ (Gal. 5:1). Do not surrender it to any man (Gal. 2:4-5). When we start pleasing men, we loose our standing with Christ (Gal. 1:10). Diotrephes is yet with us. In nearly any area there will be at least one such domineering brother. Avoid him and his overtures (III John 9).
IX. Do not be negative and despondent about the brotherhood. Some brethren are prophets of doom and hangers of crepe. To hear their story, the church is on her last legs, with all hope gone. The Lord's cause is tougher than they recognize. She will stand forever (Dan. 2:44). The church is bigger than any one man or group of preachers. If they should die, the bride of Christ will yet live and flourish. Sometimes, she actually prospers when they are removed from the scene.
Never represent the church as bad, rotten and vile. If that is the case, why should any sinner leave his present camp and come into such a sorry institution. Tragically, I hear some irresponsible preachers do just this. Please don't air our internal problems to a scorning world. As a new convert I heard preachers viciously attacking fellow-Christians on the public airwaves. What sad, warped minds they had to do this. Treat the brotherhood with the same consideration you would your mother or sister.
X. Don't try to regulate the brotherhood. Numerous preachers delight in so doing. They ignore the Bible teaching of autonomy for each congregation. If elders are only authorized to "tend the flock of God which is among" them (I Pet. 5:2), by what authority do these preachers inject themselves into affairs of congregations in distant places? They are meddlers in other men's matters (I Pet. 4:15). Most of us have all we can handle just dealing with our congregation's problems. Most brotherhood mote hunters have unfinished work to do on their own houses (Matt. 7:3-5).
What a precious privilege it is to be part of the family of God on earth. Let us love and cherish the brotherhood. Let us work for the well-being of Christ's holy cause. May we never cause harm to the body."Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love."
JHW
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