By Durston Dove

Minister, Laurelwood Church of Christ, Lindenwold, NJ

 

Posted to the web 14 May 2008

 

 

                                      
“Is he faithful?” within a congregation of the Lord’s church, this question is sometimes asked concerning various members. The question being asked is not, “Is he a faithful husband” or “Is he a faithful teacher of the word of God?”  The question is, “Is he a faithful Christian?”

 

How are we to determine that? The Bible clearly teaches that “...the Lord does not see as man sees...the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). We are not able to look on a man’s heart, as the Lord does, so how can we know if one is faithful or not? Someone may ask, “Why should that even concern us? Isn't a man*s relationship with God just between him and God? What right do we have to be nosey and decide if one is faithful?”
 
Think about verses like these:                                                                    
 
*Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1).                                                                 
 
*If your brother sins go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church ...* (Mt 18:15-17).                                
 
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life* (2Thess 3:6).                            
 
*My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.* (Jas 5:19-20)                                   
 
Do these passages make it sound like we should not even be concerned with the faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in Christ? We should not only know and care about the spiritual condition of our brethren, God tells us to do something when it is in jeopardy! 

 

While we cannot see a brother*s heart, we can see his actions, which come *from within, out of the heart* (Mark 7:21). When we know a brother is in trouble spiritually and we see his faithfulness waning, our every desire should be to restore him and save his soul.  And by the way, yes, you are your brother's keeper.