JULY 27, 2025
Topic: “INTIMACY IN GIVING (Part 5): WATCHING YOUR BROTHER’S BACK“
Text: John 1:10-13
Memory Verse: “Galatians 6:10 ERV – “When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”
Watching your brother’s back is the same as being your brother’s keeper. The phrase was used in Genesis 4:9 by Cain in his response to God’s question about the whereabouts of his brother Abel. In physical terms, in African setting, a brother or sister is a relative, kinsman or someone from the same tribe. In spiritual terms, a brother or sister is someone who is born again and belongs to the family of God. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” Being children of God is sacred and it is an eternal bond. It is meant to position believers in Christ in a place of intimacy with God and with one another. Knowing this truth should make all believers know how to treat and respond to one another.
Cain knew he needed to have protected his brother, but he murdered him instead. This is not far from what we sometimes see happen in the church today. Though without a knife or a gun, murders occur by the use of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue ….” James 3:10 also says “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” Slandering and back-stabbing one another ought not to be so.
When you cover your brother’s back, you are invariably protecting areas of his life in which he is vulnerable. These include, but are not limited to: speaking well of him, treating him with respect, showing interest in his well-being, correcting him in love and praying for him.
PRAYER: Father, we Your children need to treat one another well and be in close and godly, intimate relationship with You and with one another. Help us so to do in Jesus’ name, Amen.