Being My Sister's Keeper - Part III

This week we will continue in our series Am I My Sister’s Keeper as we look at what it means to Care For One Another As We Bear One Another’s Burden’s. (you can listen to the third message here)

But first may I encourage you to pause for a moment and grab your Bible and read Luke 10:25-37; it is here we find The Parable of the Good Samaritan. This story teaches us so much about our relationships; how we are to love and care for our neighbor in light of what Jesus Christ has already done for us. Ponder for a moment this wondrous love and allow this love to motivate you. Feeling guilty and condemned about your failure to love will never motivate you to love anyone; rather as you remember the glories of Calvary a responsive love will flow out of you to love as Christ loves.

Listed below are a few scriptures that hopefully will encourage you to love and care for your neighbor; husband, children, friend, stranger.

- Bear with other’s weaknesses; don’t just please yourself but follow Christ in this (Romans 15:1-3).
- Your words can help the tottering to stand (Job 4:3-4).
- Strengthen the weak and feeble – act as a brace for their brokenness (Hebrews 12:12-13).
- Turning a sister back from error will cover her sin and save her (James 5:19-20).
- Help other weaker sisters – you’ll be more joyful giving out to others (Acts 20:35).
- You should shepherd your sisters by seeking them out and reclaiming them (Luke 15:4-7).
- Because Christ is strengthening you, you can strengthen your sisters (Luke 22:32).
- Show mercy to those who are struggling with doubt…grab them from the fire (Jude 1:22-23).
- Gently correct those that Satan is manipulating (II Timothy 2:24:26).

“What is the friend, who will be a real blessing to my soul? Is it enough that he loves my person, and would spend his time and energies in my service? This comes far short of my requirement. I am a poor, straying sinner, with a wayward will and a blinded heart; going wrong at every step. The friend for my case is one, who will watch over me with open rebuke…The genuineness of friendship without this mark is more than doubtful; its usefulness utterly paralyzed.

Rebuke, kindly, considerately, and prayerfully administered, cements friendship rather then loosens it.

Many indeed profess their value for a true friend; and yet in the most valuable discharge of friendship, they ‘count him their enemy.’

The mark of true godliness is an anxiety to have our faults pointed out; and a thankfulness to those who undertake the self-denying office. ‘A faithful reprover is a very help in our Christian course. He is to be valued above the greatest treasure.’” Charles Bridges

Oh God, strip us of our self-righteous deeds and allow us to see that they are far worse than our gross sins. Show us that left to our own reasoning we think we are better than we are. Help us to see our need for you and our need for one another. Give us a desire to be yoked together with others for our good and your glory. ~ Rhonda Calabello