Strengthen Your Brethren

As we strive to cultivate Christian Community, we must also turn our focus to the sharpening and building up of our brethren. As Proverbs 27:17 states, “iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend”. It is impossible to endure the struggles of this life alone; we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to walk alongside and pick us back up when we fall (see Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Jesus, as he is warning Peter in Luke 22:31-32, commands him to build up and strengthen his brothers after he walks through his own trial. Each of us endure hardships and have seen God’s love and power revealed to us through them. This is what we can share with others: God’s truth, His character, and His power in our lives. 

As we walk through trials and problems, we grow in spiritual maturity and with that maturity comes the responsibility to pass along the knowledge of Christ that has been revealed to us. This responsibility is called discipleship. 
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​iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend

Discipleship is the intentional practice of sharing instruction in righteousness with the brethren. In the body of Christ, it should be a diligent and intentional practice for everyone. The book of Titus speaks about discipleship for the body of believers. When seeking to disciple another, we must be walking out our faith and growing daily (II Peter 1:5-8), speaking truth based on sound doctrine (Titus 2:1), and showing a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7). Not only must the acknowledgement of Christ be present in our life, but also the diligent and purposeful application of the scripture demonstrating “uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and sound speech” (Titus 2:7-8). 

Titus also gives instruction as to what is to be taught. Titus 2:2-6 gives orders for the aged men and women to teach the younger, respectively, in the way they should behave. Younger women should be taught by the aged women to be truth-seekers and to love their husband and children. Likewise, the younger men should be instructed to be sober-minded. The chapter continues with instruction that servants, or employees should be taught obedience to their masters, or employers, and showing faithfulness and commitment (2:9-10). 
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Growing to be more like Christ is the goal of discipleship through the instruction of His Word and building relationships with the brethren. II Peter 1:5-8 gives us a layout of what this spiritual growth looks like. With intentional pursuit, we must first add good works to our faith, then knowledge, then self-control, then patience, then godliness, then brotherly kindness, and then charity. As we work daily to grow spiritually, it is also our duty to build up others so they will grow in spiritual maturity and in the knowledge of Christ Jesus. 
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Logan Lanier is a graduate student at Liberty University and is working as a Family Life Specialist at Cord of 3 and a PATH certified equine therapist with Hooves to Freedom in Blackshear, Georgia.  www.hoovestofreedom.com