“Requirements of Brotherhood.” - Part 2
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.”
In finishing the last article on “Requirements for Brotherhood,” I want us to notice that the first thing he said was “ Brethren,” but then he said, If a Man - now you may be a Christian, but you are still a man, (or woman) and still susceptible to all the temptations and all the failures that come with being a part of the human race. Every man, according to James, has the same tendencies toward sin and temptation. James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. My Bible tells me over in Romans 3:10 There is none righteous, no, not one, and then in verse 23 he even gets more specific when he says for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. A child of God has no right to be mean spirited.
Have you ever thought about Peter that day when the Lord said, “Peter, this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” - Matthew 26:34. Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail, and yet he loved him. He knew that he would think about quitting, but yet he loved him. He knew that he would curse and swear, but yet he loved him. Every person reading this article is susceptible to failure. I've heard preachers say in the past from the pulpit 'If you think about quitting, quit'. O, no, the Lord said when you fail it will not be a surprise to him and it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone else. Peter was just a man, and he failed miserably. He realized it as soon as he did it, but it wasn’t too late to make it right. He went out and wept bitterly. If you love God and you fail, you will be heartbroken. But you will find a place of repentance just as soon as you can. You won't say, well I blew it so I might as well just live it up. No, no, the Christian hates sin in their lives, and the Lord knows that, so he made a simple plan to solve it. 1 John 1:9 works every time, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Peter thought about quitting and said 'I go a fishing.' Oh, but Jesus let him know he wasn't finished with him yet, and he said you denied me three times, I'll give you a chance to confess me three times 'Peter, do you love me? Then go to work!!! We need to encourage one another in the Christian life. I am deeply grateful to all the brethren who have encouraged me in my times of struggle.