Better Together: Why We Need Our Brothers and Sisters
- Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
I have heard this statement spoken a hundred times or more during my years in full-time ministry: “I don’t know what I would’ve done if it were not for the church family.” Aren’t you glad to be a part of the family of God? What would we do without our brothers and sisters in Christ? I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it were not for the dedicated people who surrounded me and my family. Life is not always easy, and ministry can be extremely difficult. At times, brethren can even be harsh or discouraging. However, the overwhelming majority of people within the church—our true family—have been a tremendous blessing!
The Ministry of Burden-Bearing
The brothers and sisters we have in Jesus Christ are there to help us when we need them most. In fact, it is our responsibility to serve one another. We are called to lean on each other when we are suffering from a heavy load. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This practice of mutual burden-bearing is essential. We need to lend a helping hand by lifting heavy loads, especially those of God’s family. Often, life presents an "overload" that we simply cannot carry alone. A burden is a weight too heavy for the individual, but it is capable of being shared within the fellowship. In doing this, we satisfy the requirements of Christ.
Restoration Through Gentleness
Our spiritual family also helps us when we are overtaken by sin. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Our brothers and sisters provide a safe place for confession and healing. As James 5:16 reminds us, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
A Culture of Availability
We need to be there for one another at all times—not just during a crisis. This means offering a hand, providing advice when a problem arises, and offering prayers for those who are struggling. The family of God is one of the greatest gifts we have because it ensures we are never alone.
However, this is a two-way street. While we rely on our brethren, they also need to rely on us. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” When we neglect worship or community, we aren't just missing out ourselves—we are preventing others from leaning on us.
The Strength of Shared Resilience
There is a unique strength found in shared resilience that cannot be replicated in isolation. When we walk through trials as a community, our collective faith acts as a buffer against despair. Just as a single strand of cord is easily broken but a threefold cord is not quickly torn apart, our individual resolve is fortified by the presence of others. This "communal grit" allows us to persevere through seasons of grief, doubt, or exhaustion that might otherwise overwhelm us. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder, we don't just survive the storm; we grow stronger because of it, proving that God's grace is often delivered through the hands and hearts of the person sitting in the pew next to us.
A Call to Peace and Love
To sum up this journey of faith, look to the words of the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:12-17. He calls us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, and long-suffering. We must bear with one another and forgive one another, just as Christ forgave us. Above all, we must put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds
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