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Responsibilities to Fellow Christians

Responsibilities to Fellow Christians. Romans 14:7: “ For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Context : Discussing the obligation of Christians to fellow Christians in matters wherein they did not agree , matters which were not inherently sinful.

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Responsibilities to Fellow Christians

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  1. Responsibilities to Fellow Christians • Romans 14:7: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” • Context: Discussing the obligation of Christians to fellow Christians in matters wherein they did not agree, matters which were not inherently sinful. • Instructions primarily directed to the “strong.” • The underlying basis for the instructions in Rom. 14,15 is the fact that Christians have distinct “family” responsibilities to each other. • Note: We are discussing The responsibilities of Christians to fellow members of the church.

  2. The Meaning of “Church” • From ekklesia; a combination of ek (out of) and kaleo (to call). “The church” consists of those called out of one relationship into another. • The Gospel is the message by which one is called, 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:14. • All who have heard and obeyed the gospel have become a part of the church, the called out, Acts 2:40-41,47.

  3. “Church” in the Universal Sense: • Consists of all who are in fellowship with God, I John 1:3-7. • The Lord controls the enrollment of the universal church, Hebrews 12:22-23. • Composed of “saved” individuals. • The church universal is one in number; has one shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), no earthly address, no earthly headquarters, no earthly organization, and no collective responsibility.

  4. “Church” in the Local Sense • Romans 16:16; I Corinthians 1:2; I Thessa-lonians 1:1; Revelation 1:10-11. • Has an address, organization (Acts 14:23), engages in collective action, I Thessalonians 1:7-8; Philippians 4:15-16; I Timothy 5:16. • A collective unit of fellowship, consists of fellow Christians who have banded together to function as a church. • Whether or not it is “sound” is determines by whether or not it adheres to “sound doctrine.

  5. The Christian’s Attitude Toward His Responsibilities Should Be: • Influenced by Love: • For God, Matthew 22:37; John 14:23; I John 5:3. • For fellow Christians, I Peter 1:22; Romans 13:10. • An attitude of Voluntary Service for the Benefit of others. • I Corinthians 9:19. • I Corinthians 8:8-9. • I Corinthians 10:23-24,33.

  6. Responsibilities to Fellow Christians viewed Negatively – “Do Not:” • Be a Stumbling block, Romans 14:13. • Go to law with another, I Corinthians 6:7. • “Bite and devour one another,” Gal. 5:15. • Provoke one another, or envy one another, Galatians 5:26. • Lie to one another, Colossians 3:9. • Be hateful to one another, Titus 3:3. • Speak evil of another, James 4:11. • Grumble against one another, James 5:9.

  7. Responsibilities to One Another – Viewed Positively. • Love one another, John 13:34-35; I Pet. 1:22. • Maintain Scriptural unity, Romans 12:5; 15:5,7; I Corinthians 12:25. • Admonish and exhort, Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25. • Comfort one another, I Thessalonians 4:18. • Edify one another, I Thessalonians 5:11. • Greet with holy kiss, Romans 16:16. • “Tarry for one another,” I Corinthians 11:23.

  8. Positive Responsibilities -- Continued • Bear with one another, Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13. • Forgive one another, Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13. • Speak truth to one another, Ephesians 4:25. • Be kind to one another, Ephesians 4:32. • Submit to one another, Ephesians 5:21; I Peter 5:5. • Bear one another’s burdens, Galatians 6:2.

  9. Positive Responsibilities -- Continued • Confess faults and pray for, James 5:16. • Have compassion to one another, I Peter 3:8. • Be Hospitable to one another, I Peter 4:9. • Minister to one another, I Peter 4:10. • Have fellowship with God and one another by walking in the light, I John 1:5-7.

  10. Practical Ways Whereby We Can Honor Our Responsibilities to Fellow Saints: • By Restoring those who “overtaken in a fault,” Galatians 6:1. • “By love” we are to serve one another, Galatians 5:13. If my brother has been overtaken in a fault love demands that I reach out to him! • By Participating in Disciplinary action when my brother walks disorderly. 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; I Corinthians 5:4-5. • Such action is love-motivated. • When he repents, forgive! 2 Corinthians 2:6-8.

  11. Practical Ways to Honor Our Responsibilities to Fellow Christians • By Setting an Example of Faithfulness. • I Timothy 4:12. • By Cooperating with my Brethren in the Scriptural work of the church. • I Corinthians 3:6,9. • 2 Corinthians 6:1. • Ephesians 4:16.

  12. Conclusion: • If all fellow Christians who constitute a local church truly honored all their joint responsibilities to each other, spiritual and numerical growth would almost be a certainty! • A question for each Christian is this: “Am I honoring all my responsibilities to my fellow Christians?”

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