Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Spiritual Responsibilities of Christians to each other

1 Cor 12:14-26 [show]1 Corinthians 12:14-26 [14]For the body does not consist of one member but of many. [15]If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. [16]And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17]If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? [18]But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19]If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20]As it is, there are many parts,(1) yet one body. [21]The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." [22]On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23]and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, [24]which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, [25]that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26]If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [12:20] Or 'members'; also verse 22
teaches that each member in a church fulfills a certain responsibility in the “body.” Notice several responsibilities Christians have toward one another.

1. Love one another.

1. Definition: Not a romantic feeling, but a decision to do what’s best for another. agape` — Godly, sacrificial, giving kind of love (c.f., John 3:16 [show]John 3:16 For God So Loved the World [16]"For God so loved the world,(1) that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [3:16] Or 'For this is how God loved the world'
   ).
2. Love is:
   1. a commandment John 15:12 [show]John 15:12 [12]"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (ESV)
      , Rom 12:10, 1 [show]Romans 12:10 [10]Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (ESV) Romans 12:1 A Living Sacrifice [12:1]I appeal to you therefore, brothers,(1) by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.(2) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [12:1] Or 'brothers and sisters' 2. [12:1] Or 'your rational service'
      John 3:11 [show]John 3:11 [11]Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you(1) do not receive our testimony. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [3:11] The Greek for 'you' is plural here; also four times in verse 12
      
   2. an evidence of being saved 1 John 3:14, 4 [show]1 John 3:14 [14]We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. (ESV) 1 John 3:4 [4]Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (ESV)
      :7
   3. an evidence of being a disciple John 13:35 [show]John 13:35 [35]By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (ESV)
      
   4. the proper response to God’s love for us. 1 John 4:11 [show]1 John 4:11 [11]Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (ESV)
      

Q.– can you love somebody without liking him? [Yes, because love is not a feeling.]

2. Pray for one another. [how many have a prayer list?]

Pray for:

1. effective evangelism 2 Thes 3:1 [show]2 Thessalonians 3:1 Pray for Us [3:1]Finally, brothers,(1) pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,(2) as happened among you, (ESV) Footnotes 1. [3:1] Or 'brothers and sisters'; also verses 6, 13 2. [3:1] Or 'glorified'
   [make most of opportunities]
2. bold testimony Eph 6:19 [show]Ephesians 6:19 [19]and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, (ESV)
   [We need boldness. Easy to be timid. ]
3. physical healing James 5:16 [show]James 5:16 [16]Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.(1) (ESV) Footnotes 1. [5:16] Or 'The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power'
   
4. maturity Col 1:9-10 [show]Colossians 1:9-10 [9]And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10]so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (ESV)
   [i.e., spiritual growth]

3. Serve one another. Gal 5:13 [show]Galatians 5:13 [13]For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (ESV)

1. True leaders are servants. Matt 20:25-28 [show]Matthew 20:25-28 [25]But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26]It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,(1) [27]and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,(2) [28]even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [20:26] Greek 'diakonos' 2. [20:27] Greek 'bondservant' ('doulos')
   
2. Spiritual gifts are to be used to serve. 1 Pet 4:10 [show]1 Peter 4:10 [10]As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (ESV)
   

4. General responsibilities:

1. Do good to one another. Gal 6:10 [show]Galatians 6:10 [10]So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
   
2. Be kind to one another. Eph 4:32 [show]Ephesians 4:32 [32]Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)
   
3. Forgive one another. Col 3:13 [show]Colossians 3:13 [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (ESV)
   
4. Edify one another. Rom 14:19 [show]Romans 14:19 [19]So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (ESV)
   ; Eph 5:19 [show]Ephesians 5:19 [19]addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (ESV)
   

Application: Our youth ministry participants should love, pray for, serve, forgive, edify, and be good and kind to each other. It should be sheltered from insults, name-calling, ridicule, sarcasm, and any other action that could hurt another person.

Same-Sex Marriage

On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court decided that the State of California must allow homosexuals to marry. It determined that the State must begin offering marriage ceremonies and certificates to such couples, which it began doing at 5:01 PM on June 16, 2008. California has become the second state in the US to offer recognition of same-sex marriage. Massachusetts began recognizing same-sex marriage in May of 2004. The governor of the State of New York plans to allow same-sex marriage there as well in the near future.

Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others who value traditional morality have been critical of same-sex marriage and have attempted to prevent the practice. Forty-four states have adopted constitutional amendments and/or statutory language preventing the recognition of gay marriage. Efforts are under way in California to overturn the Court’s ruling and enact a constitutional ban on homosexual marriage there.

This current political and social issue reflects the nation’s basic moral commitments. Should people simply be allowed to do whatever they please, or are there moral considerations that limit behavior? What guidelines do we use to determine what kind of behavior is “good” for society?

This issue also points out the stark contrast in the conflicting worldviews driving today’s culture wars. On one side are those who endorse a traditional view of morality. These people typically are connected in some way to a transcendent (God-given) form of morality found in sacred Scripture (the Bible, the Koran, etc.). On the other hand are those who hold that morality is simply a human idea, and that each individual must determine his own moral standards. Since morality has no permanent basis, rules of conduct must be flexible and conform to the times.

Let’s examine the underlying moral motivations of the two sides of this issue.

1. Same-sex moral values
   1. Human love is a wonderful thing, even when it exists between those of the same sex. Love should be tolerated and celebrated. Love will always win over hate.
   2. God made people as they are. God loves everyone equally. Nature (or God) is responsible for a person’s sexual orientation. A loving God would never condemn someone for loving another person.
   3. Equality is a basic human right that should not be denied to any particular group. Equality demands that all people be given the same rights.
   4. People should be allowed to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt others. Marriage between consenting adults is their own business. Same-sex marriage affects only those being married and no one else. Only individuals have the right to determine who will be part of their family. The government should not force adherence to any particular moral standard.
   5. Religions critical of homosexuality are merely folklore, mythology, and outdated superstition. No one should take moral standards from so-called sacred texts seriously. The Bible has nothing of value to say on the topic. Only uneducated idiots believe that stuff. Leave the Dark Ages and adopt modern values.
   6. Cultural traditions don’t matter. Many traditions have been wrong and evil, e.g., slavery, racism, sexism. The fact that something is traditional doesn’t make it right. Who says that marriage has to be defined as existing only between a man and a woman? Marriage began as a purely human invention and was co-opted by religion as a way of gaining control over people. There is nothing particularly sacred or special about any human relationship. People should be able to define marriage however they want.
   7. No one can judge anyone else for their moral choices.
2. Christian moral values
   1. Human love is a wonderful thing. However, like all good things, human love can be corrupted and degraded. The proper expression of marital love is between one man and one woman only. Any other expression is wicked.
   2. God makes people and God loves people, even desperately sinful people. However, God never causes anyone to sin. Man is sinful by birth and by choice. Those who follow their sinful bent in their interpersonal relationships will suffer God’s displeasure now and merit eternal punishment in the future. Those indulging in perverse practices have no right to claim a positive relationship with God.
   3. Equality as a basic human right is rooted in biblical morality. Nothing in nature suggests equality of species or of individuals. It seems hypocritical to affirm this moral value while denying other biblical moral values. Further, homosexuality should not be afforded the same recognition as equality in race or gender, which are biological realities, not simple behavior choices.
   4. Individualized morality is a recipe for chaos and disaster. Without some kind of recognized rules for behavior, civilization is not possible. Other people’s behavior is a matter of public concern. Further, intimate contact between consenting adults is one thing; marriage is something else. Marriage has the status of public affirmation and recognition. By definition, same-sex union is not marriage. American society as a whole is not ready to re-define marriage.
   5. The critics’ assertion that the Bible is obsolete and irrelevant is purely a matter of opinion. Christians (and other advocates of traditional values) have the same right to promote and defend their viewpoint as anyone else. The Christian worldview has been dominant in western culture for many centuries, although its dominance is now beginning to wane, which is the only reason same-sex marriage has become legal.
   6. Traditions are not valuable simply because they are traditions; no one is arguing that. The debate concerns the value and definition of marriage. Is the traditional understanding of marriage to prevail in our culture, or should the concept of marriage be re-defined, or perhaps dropped all together? Recognizing same-sex marriage will inevitably lead to validating other perverse relationships and behaviors.
   7. Morality is by nature subject to judgment. Even the statement “no one can judge my moral choices” is a judgment. Any time someone alleges that something is good or bad, he is making a moral judgment. Frankly, those who deny morality have no basis to complain when their “rights” are violated.

Note the Quote: The heterosexual marital relationship, even with all its imperfections, constitutes the bedrock of civilization. Marriage — female wife and mother, male husband and father — is the basic social unit. Redefining marriage, given its integral design, is like tampering with root arithmetic: no court, retaining any semblance of respect for the concept of jurisprudence, would do so.¹

1. What God Says About Marriage²
   1. Marriage is a partnership of opposite sexes, in kind, with full compatibility. (Gen 2:18-24 [show]Genesis 2:18-24 [18]Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for(1) him." [19]Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed(2) every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. [20]The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam(3) there was not found a helper fit for him. [21]So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. [22]And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made(4) into a woman and brought her to the man. [23]Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."(5) [24]Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:18] Or 'corresponding to'; also verse 20 2. [2:19] Or 'And out of the ground the LORD God formed' 3. [2:20] Or 'the man' 4. [2:22] Hebrew 'built' 5. [2:23] The Hebrew words for 'woman' ('ishshah') and 'man' ('ish') sound alike
      )
      1. Opposite sexes: God did not make another man for Adam; He made a woman, a human of the opposite sex.
      2. In kind: Nothing in the animal kingdom corresponded to man; nothing was a suitable companion for Adam. Adam was human, not animal. God supplied Adam with another human—a woman—of the same “kind,” but a different type of human.
      3. Full compatibility: a “help meet”
         1. Help: the word often speaks of God supplying something people are unable to supply for themselves.
         2. Meet: fit, suitable, corresponding to. God created Eve to correspond to Adam. She was a perfect match for him. What he lacked she supplied. Only man and woman can procreate. The natural design of the human body (male and female) implies that they go together.
   2. Marriage involves commitment based on a covenant. (Gen 2:23-25 [show]Genesis 2:23-25 [23]Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."(1) [24]Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. [25]And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:23] The Hebrew words for 'woman' ('ishshah') and 'man' ('ish') sound alike
      ; Mal 2:14 [show]Malachi 2:14 [14]But you say, "Why does he not?" Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. (ESV)
      )
      1. Commitment is key to marriage. God expects spouses to hold fast (KJV “cleave”) to one another. God designed marriage to be a permanent union held together by mutual commitment.
      2. Marriage is a form of contract or covenant, an agreement with certain stipulations. The spouses agree to “leave” their original families and “cleave” to one another for life. Only in certain limited cases can this contract/covenant be invalidated or dissolved.
   3. Marriage involves a sacrificial, mutual love and respect. (Eph 5:33 [show]Ephesians 5:33 [33]However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
      ; 1 Pet 3:7 [show]1 Peter 3:7 [7]Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you(1) of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [3:7] Some manuscripts 'since you are joint heirs'
      )

Marriage is more about giving than receiving. Mutual, sacrificial love and respect is necessary in a marriage.

1. 1. Marriage is best when the husband and wife accept their God-given roles.
      1. The husband: lead, love, protect, provide
      2. The wife: assist, complement, submit, encourage

Conclusion: The nature and definition of marriage are issues of basic morality. As western culture continues to deny its Christian heritage, it will adopt increasingly immoral standards of behavior. All manner of perversion will first be tolerated, then recognized as normal, protected as a right, and finally celebrated as good. American society must decide if it will retain its association with biblical morality or turn its back on that tradition and embrace moral chaos.

1 “Same-Sex Marriage in Perspective” Christian Research Journal, volume 27, number 2 (2004). Article: DH260 www.equip.org.

2 This material condensed from Barry Pendley’s article “The Problem of LGBTs and Their Marriages.”