Thought for Friday, March 15th

March 15, 2013

Not My Brother/Sister

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Malachi  2:10

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

-       Martin Luther King, Jr.

The idea of brotherhood or sisterhood is sometimes hard for an only child to grasp.  An only child grows up being the sole focus of parental attention and not having to share time, space and affections the way siblings do: but in terms of our spiritual family we are all siblings and our Father wants us all to get along.

I am not amazed; but rather distressed by the lack of affinity I observe between brothers and sisters who have family bonds: but I am even more distressed by the animosity, hatred and viciousness I frequently observe between brothers/sisters in faith who are bound by the blood of Jesus.

Just this week someone, who is facing some rather challenging circumstances in their life, made the following observation:  they stated, “I get more encouragement and support from the non Christian, non churched people who are in my life than I do from those who are suppose to be my friends in faith who are a part of my local church.”

What a sad testament for us as Christians.  Do we really have less love and compassion for each other than the world has for us?

Scripture not only teaches, but demands that we love God and love each other and yet we spend more time judging, backbiting and putting down our fellow family members than we ever do encouraging, building up and ministering to them in love.

I know this is not a behavioral matter indicative to every person who is a Christian; but based on my recent observations, it is far more common than it aught to be.

And even if we do try to love each other; are we doing it well enough:  Are we loving each other the way God loves us?  Are we there for each other no matter what, or is our affinity somehow connected to a person’s willingness or ability to measure up or be what we think they should be?

Brotherly/Sisterly love is not an option if we really want to please God.

And it is my contention that all of us could do a better job than we are.

Today’s Prayer

Father, You accept me for who I am with all my weaknesses, faults, peculiarities and even with my failings and delusions: and You love me through them; in spite of them and you help me to overcome many of them.  Help me to be willing to extend the same compassion, kindness and caring that I receive from You to the many brothers and sisters who are a part of my Christian family.