The Christian's Responsibilities To Members Of The Church

As a member of the church the Christian is a part of the family of God (1 Tim. 3:15). Being a family member carries responsibilities. As a part of the universal church one has responsibilities to all Christians worldwide.

Being a member of a local church, though, he sustains peculiar responsibilities to those who are his fellow-members in that local body. It is like being a part of the physical family. When one is born he becomes a part of a large family with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., to whom he has responsibilities. But he also is part of a nuclear family of mother, father, sisters and brothers to whom he has special moral and spiritual obligations over and above those he has to the rest of his relatives.

Some of the Christian's responsibilities to other members of the church include:

• Love (1 Pet. 1:22)
• Edify (Eph. 4:16)
• Encourage (Heb. 10:24)
• Teach and Admonish (Col. 3:16)
• Bear Burdens (Gal. 6:2)
• Comfort (1 Thes. 4:18)
• Forgive (Eph. 4:32; Matt. 6:14-15)
• Work Together (Phil. 1:27)

I pray that, with God's grace, you will be able to fully live up to all your responsibilities to others members of your local church as well as the Church universal.