ECCLESIASTES 4:9–12 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

THEME OF THE DAY. WE ARE KEEPERS OF ONE ANOTHER. Remember the first murderer’s words to the Lord? They are found in the fourth chapter of the Old Testament book of Genesis – Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:8-9). Well, the answer to Cain’s question is actually, “Yes, you are, Cain.” And we may extend that answer to all of us who name the name of Christ – we are spiritual keepers of our brothers and sisters. It is God’s command and design for His people. To the extent we believe and practice this truth we go a long way in our understanding of God’s purposes in His church and world. Let’s consider both . . .

First, God’s purpose in His church is for His people to practice the over fifty “one another” passages in His Word. Do a study of them sometime. It is eye-opening and life-directing. The Christian life was never to be a solo act or lived out independently We not only are commanded to care for one another and invest in one another spiritually, but it is necessary for spiritual survival. Go back and read today’s scripture. There is so much mentioned that points to necessity of being together, helping one another, and not living in isolation from one another. Now would be a good time to ask the question, “Is this how my relationships with other Christians are lived out?” Please don’t be a “Sunday morning only Christian” with a passing “Hi, how are you doing?” when it comes to relationships with other Christians. This is not only disobedience to the Lord, but puts us in a dangerous spiritual position of certain spiritual defeat.

Next, God’s purpose in His world is to reveal to a hurting and hopeless world the reality of His Person and love and that through His people obeying His commands to be His church. Meditate on these words Jesus gave to His disciples and us. Do so with a laser-guided focus on who is impacted by seeing Christ’s people being each other’s keeper in the practice of His love – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35). The influence is not just on other Christians, but all people. And here is a serious truth to consider. If we are not actively loving God’s people and that by sacrificial obedience to the “one another” scriptures, we are a hindrance to the witness for the Lord Jesus. Isn’t that scary? To think we could be a stumbling block to others not seeing the reality of Christ. Well, that will happen. God implies it will, if we are not actively being our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to see I am responsible for the welfare of my brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

QUOTE: “True Biblical fellowship demands we not only meet with other believers, but invest in one another in the Lord.”