When a brother or sister grows silent
In the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook small signs: a friend who stops attending worship, someone who no longer responds in the group chat, a believer who suddenly withdraws from church activities. We often assume they’re busy, tired, or simply taking time for themselves.
But Scripture paints a different picture.
In God’s eyes, silence from a fellow believer is not something to ignore — it is a gentle alarm. A reminder that Christian fellowship is more than standing side by side in worship; it is being attentive to one another’s spiritual well-being.
References
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“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.“
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“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
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“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
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“Come out of her, My people.“
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“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.“
The Biblical mandate to restore
God does not ask His people to be passive observers. He calls us to act.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Paul does not say criticize, lecture, or shame.
He says restore — a word that implies healing, patience, and gentle guidance.
To restore someone means:
noticing when they are missing
caring enough to ask
walking beside them through doubt, pain, or distraction
and helping them return to the presence of God
Ellen White writes,
“We are to deal with the erring as Christ deals with us — with pitying tenderness.”
(Steps to Christ, p. 7)
We restore because Christ restored us first.
Bearing burdens together
True Christian fellowship is not measured by how well we worship together, sing hymns, or attend church. It is measured by how willingly we carry one another’s burdens.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
What burdens, you ask?
Loneliness. Doubt. Spiritual dryness. Temptation. Discouragement. These are often invisible — until someone disappears from fellowship, growth silent…
Let me be honest: Life gets very heavy sometimes. The world pushes us constantly to do more, be more, consume more. Small things we use every day easily become idols: our phones, our work, entertainment, vacations, even good things when placed above God. The world consumes us, and sometimes it even feels good to be consumed.
But is this what Jesus desires for us?
Is this what Scripture teaches?
No.
The oposit.
Let’s take a look:
“Come out of her, My people.”
Not “Have a little of this entertainment“ but “Get out.” “Let go.” “Run for your life.”
Our faith is like a muscle — it must be exercised daily if we want to grow as followers of Christ. And even the strongest in faith sometimes fall: our elders, our pastors, our loved ones.
Which is why the Bible commands: Be the one who lends a helping hand.
A simple message such as,
“Are you doing alright? We miss you,”
can reach a heart that feels forgotten.
Sometimes God uses your voice to call someone back home, back to our Lord Jesus Chirist.
Today, simply ask God to open your heart and listen carefully what He has prepared for you.
The danger of drifting
The Bible speaks clearly about wandering from the faith.
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
James does not treat drifting as something small: he calls it a matter of life and death!
This means:
Ignoring someone who is slipping away is not harmless.
Waiting for them to return on their own is not biblical.
Reaching out is not intrusive — it is an act of salvation.
Ellen White echoes this urgency:
“Never give up one struggling soul.”
(Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 196)
The Shepherd’s Heart
Do you remember a simple but powerful story Jesus has told us?
A shepherd leaves ninety-nine secure sheep to search for one that wandered.
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.”
Shepherd doesn’t wait for the lost sheep to wander back:
He goes after it.
He searches.
He worries.
And he rejoices when he finally finds it.
This is the heart of Christian fellowship — a willingness to leave comfort, routine, and convenience in order to save a brother or sister who is drifting apart from their faith.
What Christian fellowship looks like
Christian love is not only expressed in greetings, meals, or group worship.
It is revealed in moments when someone is missing, and we choose not to ignore it.
Real fellowship is:
noticing the absence,
seeking the one who is silent,
reaching out with kindness,
restoring without judgment,
walking patiently beside the weak,
encouraging the discouraged,
lifting the fallen,
and refusing to let anyone drift alone.
This is the fellowship that reflects Christ’s character. This is the fellowship He desires for His people.
Today, think of someone who has been quiet.
Someone who once stood strong beside you but now walks far behind.
Someone who disappeared without explanation.
Pray for them.
Reach out to them.
Give them a hand.
You might be the voice God uses to bring them back.
If someone gets lost, we give them a hand.
This is true Christian fellowship.
Dedication
This article is dedicated to a wonderful soul who reminded me of my mission and gently called me back to the work God entrusted to me.
Maria — thank you!
God bless you, dear.
