Strengthening Our Brothers

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (ESV)

As I came across this passage in reading the Scriptures today, I had 4 quick points cross my mind.  I'm sharing them in case they prove valuable to you as well.

1)  Satan seeks to destroy all of us, not just Peter. (1 Peter 5:8)
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2)  As believers we are kept safe from eternal death by the work of Christ on the cross and safe from a lifestyle of sin by the intercession of our great Saviour.  (Romans 8:33-34)
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

3)  Jesus knew that Peter would endure a season of doubt and questioned loyalty...we all do.  But those seasons are only temporary, nothing can seperate us from Christ if we are God's children - even ourselves.  (Romans 8:35 and 38)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

4)  In times of greatest distress and turmoil, when the whole world seems bent aganist us, we must remember that our destiny is secured.  Christ paid the ransom that we might be able to enter into the presence of God.  The seasons might be difficult at times, there may be dark days in the path, but the final destination is a place of unspeakable joy and beauty.  Until we reach that end we must persevere, with the help of the Spirit, in the same way that Jesus instructed Peter...
...strengthening our brothers.

I think that strengthening our brothers means many things.  It means encouragement and support when the friend in Christ is doing great and wonderful things...it also means accepting criticism with humility when you have to be told, by a brother that you love, that you are too academic in your approach to life and your faith.  That isn't easy to take but it is biblical and refreshing.

I am thankful to God that I have men around me who both encourage me and "shoot straight with me" when they see something off.  I am also glad that they can take it as well as they can give it.