Let Us Not Forget to Strengthen the Brethren

We can’t make it on our own; we need each other’s strength.

Luke 22:31–32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

I am currently a student at Liberty University. I can attest that the university’s education is in line with biblical principles. When I received an email containing the report of the former president stepping down, I did not question his conduct as president. One week later I learned why he stepped down. No matter the situation, Christians must strengthen each other after there is a rebuke.

When I just rededicated my life to Jesus Christ, my husband and I were not yet married. It took us at least seven months. Messages about living in the sin of fornication indeed cause me to pray and repent. My husband and I were able to do the right thing and moved forward to live a life of Christ. As Christians, we should always remember that the enemy is there with a desire to sift each believer as wheat. Therefore, it is our due diligence to pray for each other and to strengthen each other.

It is indeed that we cannot sidetrack the narrative that the church teaches one thing but does another. For those actions (as to what they reported my former president did), many people will see the church as hypocritical. The action is indeed wrong, but this is why we have the Lord’s grace. As the scripture says, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Every sinful lifestyle is of the evil one. But Jesus died to destroy the works of the devil in our lives. If a person does not die in sin, there is hope through the grace of the Lord.

To the world, on behalf of the church, we apologize for such wrongdoings. Do not let things such as these prevent you from accepting the truth of salvation. When the Lord Jesus comes as a judge, there will be no acceptable excuse. Christians, on the other hand, let us put in practice Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

We who are believers are in some trying times. Nevertheless, the Lord told us to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. Simple means that we, too, who believe in His name, have overcome the world. There are many temptations and trials. Yes, according to the Word of God, we know that temptation is from our own lusts. Many believers are working to match up to the sanctification and righteousness Jesus gave through the cross. Also, as I love to say, trials are God’s ways to show us that we are on His mind, and He wants us to trust Him.

It is just impossible for a Christian man or woman to walk this journey on his or her own. We need each other. The work of the devil alongside the world he controls is to accuse us. This is why the scripture refers to him as the accuser of the brethren. Let us not join hands with the accuser but rather build up each other’s strength. In the same way the scriptures give us the confidence that the Lord has our back, let us have each other’s back.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ: I encourage you to keep on holding on to your salvation. The Lord loves you, and so do I. To those who are not yet saved, what are you waiting for? Don’t let this be a distraction for you to reject the truth. Jesus loves you, and that is why He died for you. Be blessed!