the World Wide Web

We are all unique. Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a purpose and plan for each one of us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

There are over 6 billion people on the earth (and a lot more in time gone by) and each one of us has a unique identity with differing abilities, skills and talents and each of us are born into different cultures and circumstances. Yet, despite this seemingly world wide chaotic situation where everybody is different, for those of us who are Christians we are told: "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28).

No matter how unique each person is, those of us who have accepted Christ Jesus as our saviour are one in Him, no matter who we are: big, small, old, young, rich, poor, criminal, lawmaker, English speaking, non English speaking. We all share this one unchanging commonality in Christ.

The Bible refers to us as brethren in Christ. No matter who we are or where we are from we are all intrinsically linked by this one truth within us. It truly is a world wide web that we can be a part of. 

As a Christian we have the privilege of being able to instantly find family no matter where we are. How often we can instantly befriend someone we have never even met and is completely different from us just because we both share that commonality in Christ.

The importance of this link is not to be underestimated and we can see from the Bible how important it is on more than one level.

Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:10 "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

Paul makes it clear that it is through our brethren that we find encouragement and blessings.   

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

2 Corinthians 1:11-14 states,  "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus."

We encourage one another to strive toward that heavenly crown. In doing so we also have a responsibility to each other that should not be neglected. In 2 Corinthians 1:11-14, Paul is saying that we, the brethren in Christ, are able to boast in one another. 

I am able to boast in my brethren who has faith in Christ and lives in a way that brings glory to God because He is living in a way that brings glory to God and he is the same as me through Christ. In turn he should be able to boast in me because I too am putting my trust in Christ and living my life in a way that is bringing glory to God. The result of this is that we are both encouraged together to strive toward that heavenly crown.

Paul writes this at the end of 2 Corinthians chapter 1. To clarify his point, he goes on in 2 Corinthians 2:1-2: "But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?"

If we are encouraged by our ability to boast in our brethren in Christ, then that means we must also be discouraged when a brethren acts in a way of which we cannot boast, for as we know we are all one in Christ. If a member of the brethren is sad or not living in a way that glorifies God, then this can be damaging to the gospel and can be damaging to our faith and relationship with God, as we become discouraged. In turn, that person will also become discouraged by our state of discouragement. 

2 Corinthians 2:3 "And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all."

As Christians we have a responsibility toward one another, for we all make up the body of Christ. This is not a responsibility to take lightly. Of course the benefit of the brethren is that we are able to build each other up and encourage one another if one of the brethren feels low or saddened, however if you are one of those people who is constantly complaining and sorrowful and not joyful of anything, this can take its toll on other members of the brethren. We should be careful that we do not discourage one another.

In this way, it is the same as any relationship, in order to receive we must also give. We cannot constantly receive, for the other person will be left bereft. In order for the brethren to operate we must all work together giving and encouraging in Christ. By one brethren giving, another will receive the benefit and move forward in their relationship with Christ and in turn, by that brethren giving, the original member will also receive benefit and move forward in their relationship with Christ. 

We are all unique and different, but now indeed there are many members, yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:20). 

2 Corinthians 12:4-6: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries but the same Lord, And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all."

Let us remember the responsibilities we have as followers of Christ. Not only do we have a responsibility to walk in the light and act as salt and light to the unbelievers, but we also have just an important responsibility towards our brethren and those already saved. Our duty to non-believers is to give them a full account of the gospel. Our duty to believers is to build each other up in Christ. Do not complain and grumble, but focus on the immense gift and blessing we have received from God our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

-BACChristian