In the light of Christ's return, we must be diligent to live godly lives, showing faithfulness in our service to one another. However, the example of the wicked servant in Matthew 24:49 reveals the vices of carelessness, cruelty, and carousing. This servant neglects his duties, mistreats fellow servants through physical and verbal abuse, often under the influence of alcohol, and indulges in reckless behavior with drunkards. Such cruelty mirrors the arrogance of false teachers who ravage congregations, defying the command to be ready. This mistreatment of brethren, whether through harsh treatment or verbal browbeating, stands in stark contrast to the faithful servant who serves with love and trust, awaiting the Master's return. As members of God's church, we must guard against such vices, ensuring we do not fall into the trap of neglecting our responsibilities or abusing those under our care. Our duty is to serve one another diligently, living God's way of life every day, so that we may be found at peace with our brethren when Christ returns.

In the context of the Corinthian congregation, the mistreatment of brethren is a grave concern. When partaking of the Passover, failing to discern the spiritual Body of believers leads to eating and drinking judgment upon oneself. This discernment means to distinguish the Body from the rest of humanity and to show partiality to the Body as a whole, rather than making distinctions within it. The Corinthians, however, were esteeming some members highly while despising others, thus not treating all brethren—those for whom Christ died—with the highest respect. Such behavior risks bringing judgment upon those who fail to honor the unity of Christ's spiritual Body.

Jesus presents the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31-46, demonstrating that He bases His judgments on how His people treat their brethren. He declares that whatever we do to the least of the brethren, we do to Him. How we treat other members of His spiritual Body, the church, is a significant part of His evaluation of us. The apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:13-14, encourages us to serve one another through love, emphasizing that all the law is fulfilled in loving our neighbor as ourselves. Scripture admonishes us to serve fellow members of the church, those with whom we fellowship regularly. Paul also writes in Galatians 6:10 that we are to do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith, prioritizing God, Christ, and the church above others in our time, energy, devotion, and commitment. Loving God remains the primary commandment, and after our devotion to Him and Christ, we must prioritize and help our brethren in the church before others.

In these times of increasing incivility, the mistreatment of brethren stands as a stark reflection of a world losing its love. We see this in the public arena where hatred and venom are openly expressed, and even within closer circles where disrespect and discord prevail. Among brethren, this manifests as a lack of courtesy and kindness, a failure to esteem others above ourselves, which can hinder our prayers and distance us from God's favor. Such behavior, marked by strife and dissension, risks crystallizing into hatred rather than mere disagreement, tearing at the bonds that should unite us. We are called to resist these worldly attitudes that seep into our midst, to cultivate harmony by putting on humility and love as we would a garment. If we fail to show simple courtesies and respect to one another, we fall short of the love that mirrors God's own character. Our actions must reflect kindness and honor, not for personal gain, but to glorify Him. By treating each other with greater esteem, by making small sacrifices for the sake of others, we build the foundation of true moral behavior that can stem the tide of incivility. Our salvation may depend on reversing this trend, not only among ourselves but as a witness to the world.