This was the question Cain posed to God, (Gen. 4:9). In other words, am I supposed to keep up with my brother's whereabouts? In the spiritual realm the Bible answers the question sufficiently.

Paul told the church at Galatia, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ . . . as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith," (Galatians 6:1,2,10).

James instructed his readers, "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19, 20).

Ezekiel warned his listeners, "when I (God) say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand . . . nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because his is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." (Ezekiel 3:18-21)

God's answer to Cain's question was "What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground," (Genesis 4:10). Naturally God was speaking of the physical death of Abel. However, Paul said, "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God," (Acts 2:26,27. Paul, as was Ezekiel, was speaking of spiritual death. Paul was not responsible for their spiritual state because he had warned them, (Ezekiel 3:18; Acts 20:27) Have you?

If I know a brother or sister who is out of duty, their blood (spiritually) is crying unto God and is on my hands. Only by lovingly warning them and encouraging them to rededicate themselves to God can they ever have their sins forgiven, and my duty toward them discharged!

AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER? Steven K. Guy