Am I my brother's keeper?

This is the question Cain, very arrogantly, asked God as He investigated the murder of Abel. More than a retort, it raises a very important question, ‘am I responsible and how should I exercise that responsibility’?
​
GENERAL
In a general sense, all of humanity are our brothers. We have a responsibility to ‘love our neighbour as ourself’(GC) and “to do good to all people.” (Gal 6:10). Especially, we have the obligation to be faithful in evangelism, not shying from sharing the Gospel with them and generally in truth pointing them toward a better way by word and deed.

Important Considerations
It is impossible to care for or share with all people. That is why Galatians says “as you have opportunity.” We are most responsible for those God has placed within our immediate sphere. This likewise follows for evangelism with the additional caveat, to do so “with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15b), just as God spoke to Cain.

PARTICULARLY
Gal 6:10 further says, “especially those who are of the household of faith.” Our ‘brothers’ are those who are so in the Lord. We have an obligation within the redeemed community to care for each other’s physical needs as evidenced by Deacons and other pictures in Acts. We begin to practice the 2nd great commandment and learn how to care for others in the church.

But life is not simply physical and so there are spiritual considerations. Positively we’re to carry out instructive discipline (discipleship) and negatively corrective discipline. Both aid the spiritual well-being of fellow believers.

We all should be disciples helping to make and grow disciples (though there always remains a role for official leaders). With the truth we know we should instruct and live as an example to fellow believers and those newer in the faith. Important Considerations: This we do in truth, humility and love always desiring what is best for the brother, to be conformed into Christ’s image.

In love, we all have a responsibility to guard our brothers and sisters from the calamity of sin ruling over them just as God did with Cain (Gen 4:7). The Bible commands us to admonish one another (Ro 15:14), watch out for one another (Eph 4:32),  speak to those who’ve sinned against us (Mt 18), even pluck them from destruction (Jude 22).

Important Considerations
Lest we come to see ourselves as the Christian Gestapo there are a number of items that make for wise counsel here:

1. The spirit. Any correction must be done in love, which includes a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1) and humility that addresses one’s own sin first (Mt 7:5). God lovingly spoke to Cain with great concern.
2. Be Discerning. We need great discernment to know how, when and where to speak to someone.
3. First Things First. To nitpick on tertiary matters is unproductive. We are all imperfect. As the Gospel takes root and we are sanctified in the heart the lessor things will resolve as the bigger things are addressed. So matters of first and second importance should be of greater concern to us. The lessor things will resolve as the primary matters are addressed. If an occasion came up to address them is one thing, springing upon these is another.
4. How well you know someone. If you are concerned about someone you know you have stronger relational grounds to approach them. If not, it might moderate how you speak to them or you might even share (not gossip) with a trusted brother who knows them better.
5. Keep it Local. Our first responsibility begins within the membership of the local church. This is always the front line. If a brother is not from your church, as part of the universal church, we may still approach them, however, it may be best to inform (not gossip) their local church leadership instead.
6. Leaders. If the sin isn’t directly against us or we feel uncomfortable raising it with a brother, it may be appropriate to bring it to the attention of one of the Elders or leaders.

Our brother is first responsible for himself. Yet, we do have a responsibility to others. However, how we exercise that makes all the difference.