« Recycling: Stewards of the Earth | Main | Satan’s Meeting: A GodTube Video »
Who is my Brother?
By Marc | January 15, 2008
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:8-9
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – Genesis 4:9
“He ain’t heavy, Father … he’s m’ brother” – Boys Town slogan
Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man? – Isaac Hayes, “Theme from Shaft”
In the New International Version of the Bible, the word “brother” exists in some form or another 728 times. The use of the word is used in stories of murder, hatred, jealousy, forgiveness, mercy, love, and a bunch more. But, who exactly is my brother and how should I treat him?
First, who is my brother?
My father and mother gave birth to my sister and me; that was it. I do have a half-brother, Robert, and we share a common mother. He is my brother.
Going out from there, the men who married my sisters and the men who are Julie’s brothers are called my brothers-in-law. Although I have no blood tie to them, they are my brothers still and I am proud to be associated with them.
I share common experiences with the men I served with in the Navy, as well as the ones I haven’t served with and from other countries. We are all sailors. We share that. That even goes for all branches. We have a history of the military; being fighting men. Although some were my enemy, these are all still my brothers.
I am married, so I share a bond with other married men. There is a common understanding within us. They are my brothers.
I am a Christian, so fellow Christian men are my brothers. We are brothers in Christ.
I have both X and Y chromosomes. All men can boast the same. So, all men are my brothers. Good or bad, love it or loathe it, I count all men as my brothers.
And so, I could possibly even say all women are my sisters.
Even though we don’t have common blood or common physical traits, we are all bound together on this planet.
Second, how should I treat my brother?
Should I take the example of myself growing up? I tormented my brother. He tormented me as well. I was kind of a jerk to him. As an adult, I continued to be a jerk to him with occasional decency. Only within the last ten years have I been kind to him all the time.
I don’t think that’s what God wants of me.
There are those who would consider their brothers only those like them. You’re not a Christian? Go get saved and come back. You’re a heathen (insert undesirable denomination here)? You’ll have to stay on your side of the tracks. You’re not my race, color, sexual orientation, weight, economic status, etc.? Don’t touch or whatever you are might rub off on me.
That’s not what God wants of me.
Should I help carry your load? Should I offer a kind word? Should I offer my hand in greeting and tip my hat when I approach you? No matter who you are? No matter where you come from? No matter where you want to go? If you mean no ill will, I have none to give you.
Is this what God wants of me? I think it is.
How do I get there? Sometimes it’s just a matter of letting go of my prejudices and preconceptions (we ALL have at least a few) and walking outside my comfort zone. Sometimes it takes lots of time and effort, like quitting smoking or learning not to flinch when you’re at bat.
I’m not a perfect person and I’ve got lots of hang-ups that you are welcome to call me on, but I know where I should be. I’m not there and might not totally make it, but I’ll keep working toward it. That is to love ALL men as brothers.
Topics: Faith | No Comments »
