A BAND OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS

A BAND OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS

I love my Catholic friends. Many of my Catholic friends, often venerate and deify some among themselves and others in the church, in addition to God.

I love my Protestant friends. Many of my Protestant friends, often esteem and think very highly of some among themselves and others in the church, in addition to God.

I love my Pentecostal friends. Many of my Pentecostal friends, often adore and put on a pedestal, some among themselves and others in the church, in addition to God.

I love my Charismatic friends. Many of my Charismatic friends often idolize and hold in awe, some among themselves and others in the church, in addition to God.

Is this just more of the ‘good intentions’ but, in reality, worldly attitudes and behaviors among Christians and among those in the church?

Jesus and His disciples were friends and a band of brothers and sisters.

There is nothing in the world like it!

Let’s Be like Christ

If we are to get anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do yourself and others a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; Don’t try to rule over others; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross”. (Philippians 2, verses 3 through 8.)

“I call you my friends; my brothers and sisters. Follow Me!” – The Words of Jesus to you and to me.

Please. Let’s all be like Jesus; especially you, who are ‘the important ones’ among us.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: I am working on this in my own life, because I need too. Please, let’s pray for one another as He conforms us to His image.