Who is my brother? As a Christian I have a much larger family than just the one I was born into. My family consists of all believers of all Christian denominations.
When Jesus was told that his mother and family wanted to talk to him, he responded:
Matthew 12:48-50 King James Version (KJV)
“48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
We are to continually walk in love toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Hebrews 13:1-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“13 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Does this mean that we neglect those not in the Body of Christ? No! We have been given work to do.
Matthew 16-20 (KJV)
“16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
As we make disciples of more people the circle of our brothers and sisters increases. Our brothers and sisters are in all nations on all continents.
Some of our brothers and sisters don’t have the luxury of living in a country that has freedom of religion.
For some the price of belief is the same as it was for early Christians, bodily death. They become martyrs for Christ. Some reside in nations where Bibles must be smuggled in. Some experience severe famine.
We need to not only pray for them but to help meet their physical and spiritual needs as God leads us.
My dear brothers and sisters love the brethren.
KJV King James Version public domain NASB New American Standard, Lockman Foundation.