[Jesus said] “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” Matthew 18:15
Your Brother’s or Sister’s Keeper
With these words, Jesus wants you to know that you are your brother’s or sister’s keeper. Now, because this concept can be so easily misunderstood, it’s helpful to define exactly what Jesus means.
In this case, a brother or sister is someone who belongs to the same spiritual family, someone who shares your faith in Jesus Christ. And this is a brother or sister who has sinned. They have done something God clearly forbids or failed to do something God clearly commands.
This is also someone who needs to be shown their sin. Perhaps they are unaware that what they are doing is sinful. Or perhaps they know exactly what the Bible says but have chosen to continue anyway. Jesus is talking about people who have given themselves over to a deliberate pattern of sin.
Understand, then, what Jesus is not saying. He is not sending you out to confront every stranger you meet. He is not telling you to correct those who think or act differently than you. He isn’t commanding you to challenge people simply because they disagree with you or irritate you. Rather, Jesus sends you to a fellow believer who has clearly wandered into sin and is persisting in it.
Why does he do it? Why does he send us to be our brother or sister’s keeper?
Because deliberate, unrepentant sin is dangerous. Left unchecked, it destroys people’s faith. If someone you loved were heading toward a cliff without realizing it, wouldn’t you warn them? How much more when their eternal life is at stake?
There is another reason too. If a brother or sister repents of their sin, they receive full and immediate forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The Savior who died for every sin has already paid for theirs as well. Wouldn’t you want them to know that? Wouldn’t you want to be the one to tell them that good news?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, strengthen me to act as my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Thank you for allowing me to tell your people what they need to hear. Amen.
