An in-depth analogy of being responsible for your peers with a Christian mindset.
Are we in such a feel-good stage that we forget those that are down and need a helping hand, or even someone to advocate for them in a spirited way? The Lord certainly saw fit to shed light on such a situation when witnessing something that He felt needed addressing. I’m sure you know the ramification of what transpired relative to the Biblical scripture that started with a simple question from God answered by Abel in Genesis, Chapter 4. In it Cain, the first-born of Adam and Eve, is asked where his brother Abel, and he replies with the first human lie (“I don’t know”), followed by the first fit of sarcasm (“Am I my brother’s keeper?”). What he was really saying, “My brother is not my problem.” Cain has not only ‘kept’ his brother, but has in fact just murdered him as the Lord already knew by implying that Abel’s blood is “Crying out from the ground.” Many people through the years have analyzed and surmised what it really connotes, or perhaps how people look at it, and not adhere accordingly. I’ve even asked myself, if indeed I am my brother’s keeper, when and to what extent? Ask yourself the same question if you know someone else that may need you to pick them up. In the simplest form of reaching out to offer assistance, or even being available for reliance in my opinion, it’s always about altruism. It means feeling an unselfish concern for the well-being of others, and then regularly and spontaneously sorting on that feeling — for instance, more than just generically saying that someone is in your prayers. Do you really pray, though with the wherewithal to follow through accordingly? Praying is something that the Lord requires you to do regardless. Nonetheless, I’ve felt that the urge to make life easier for people outside oneself is a powerful motivating agent in some people, while in others it seems almost entirely lacking. Lackadaisical attitudes can be conducive to how modern technology has eroded commonsensical choices. It’s easier to send text messages or emails than it is to simply pick up your telephone and make a call to someone who may prefer the latter as opposed to the former.
Believe it or not, there’s no contradiction in my assessment of this story and how I bring thoughts to an opinionated point of view. Answering the question that precipitates this article can be such an in-depth answer that would elicit other scholars to answer both in the affirmative and as a negative entity. Why? First, let me give you the ‘no’ answer: we are not responsible for the words and actions of others in a conventional way. We can’t control others and it is an unhealthy endeavor to think that we can. Whether it be through manipulation or intimidation, every individual is responsible for their own words and actions. Even God didn’t try to control Cain! But…we are called by God to be most responsible for the care of our brother from a spiritual way, though not limited to just family. Affirmatively speaking, we are not to commit acts of violence against one another…2 Corinthians corroborates this in the 12th Chapter, Verse 20. Moreover, we are to exhibit brotherly love toward our fellowmen and sisters in Christ with a tender heart and a humble spirit whenever possible (1 Peter 3:8). In this way, we “keep” those for whom Christ gave life.
I close by alluding to the fact that by adhering to keeping tabs on your brother may be mere lip-service to those who have good intent, but failing to follow through on principle is a conscious obligation that may be awry relative to the basis of this article. Lo and behold if this is your ministry and you fail accordingly, what would you think the Lord would think? To be honest, caring for others should be a ministry to us all. Know that it should also be natural for us to be our brother’s keeper. God is Love, and He made us to be caring, kind, and available to others. It is His directives that we live by, and in following other aspects of spiritual resolve there're mannerisms that allow for what those caring things are relative to do, and what you think should be apropos. And when we need someone to watch out for us and care for us in some way, He always makes sure we have someone on the sidelines looking for the opportunity for exhortation exhibiting benevolence. So if it behooves you to go that extra mile, do so, but do it not in an abstract way…do it where it counts for those who would appreciate you making it real and personal!
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