In nearly every email sent to this local group of brethren, the greeting includes “loved ones.” There is a distinct reason for that statement: it is true! While I have family and friends that are indeed quite dear to me, it is brethren in Christ Jesus I love most! With brethren of like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1), we have a very special fellowship, described by Paul as follows: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2: 1 – 4) Indeed, these are the dearest on earth to me!
In business matters, seek a faithful Christian! In social environments, seek to be with Christians! In times of need, Christians offer the greatest support and comfort! In times of grief, Christians grant the greatest understanding! In times of joy, Christians know how to increase those pleasantries in the greatest fashion! There are no greater souls on this earth than faithful Christians! Why, might you ask? Faithful Christians possess the mind of Christ and therefore think, speak, and act as He would. Is there any greater Friend than our Lord Jesus Christ? If not, then those who faithfully adhere to His word will be as He is, for they comprehend the meaning of Colossians 1: 1 – 4!
Please don’t think these Christians are faithful in every action. The fact is most of these souls are “works in progress.” They realize they aren’t perfect (i.e., without fault) but are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). That means they have neither desire nor need to seek their perfection somewhere else: they know it is in Christ they must abide, and within Him work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
Granted, they have been immersed into Christ and are diligent about assembling with the saints when they meet for worship and bible study. But away from these times, they struggle. Some do a great deal of grumbling (1 Corinthians 10:10). Some are seldom satisfied and content with things as they are (1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5). Others are selfish when it comes to helping others (1 John 3:17.) Some fail to study as they should (2 Timothy 2:15).
Some think the blood of the flesh is more precious than the blood of Christ (Matthew 10:37) and therefore show a respect of persons that is contrary to God’s manner (Romans 2:11; James 2:1, 9). Still, these souls, though imperfect to be sure, are Christians. Perhaps they need increased examples of how to be faithful in their life as a child of God.
Yes, the dearest on earth to me are those whose fervently desire to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28). As the proverb writer says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:27). These souls challenge me, mentor me, and in every righteous way, build me up in the most holy faith (Jude 20 – 21). In doing this, these precious souls help keep me humble, reducing my prideful inclinations, and cause me to realize my necessary subjection to Christ first, and to other Christians second (1 Peter 5: 1 – 11). They help me realize as Paul had to realize: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13 – 14)
Christians are GOD’S children, and they are far better than those aligned with this world or those who know not God! (James 4:4; 2 Thessalonians 1: 7 – 9). Christians should be the most honest, the most trustworthy, the most gracious, the most loving, and the most understanding souls on the earth (1 Corinthians 13). Yes, I can honestly say that there are Christians who because of their proven love, are closer than a fleshly sibling (Proverbs 18:24). This is why these are the dearest on earth to me!
Yes, we Christians are “peculiar” people (cf. Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). The word means “beyond usual; purchased” in Greek. In our language, it usually means “odd.” To that I fully agree: we are “odd” when compared to the “normal” of this old world! We need to be! We’re very different from the world! Our words and deeds are different (Colossians 3:17); everything about our lives is different because sin no longer rules our lives (Romans 6:16 – 23). Paul said we are the “offscouring” of the world (1 Corinthians 4:13). But compared to the world, we are made clean and pure in the blood of the Lamb (1 Corinthians 6:11) and because we have come out of the world and refuse to touch again the unclean things (cf. 2 Corinthians 6: 14 – 18), God is our Father, and we are His children! That makes Christians brethren one of another. Again, that’s why Christians are the dearest on earth to me!