My Brother's Keeper- Mike T.

A few days back I was feeling the way we all do from time to time when someone we care about lets us down. Sometimes it's easy to idolize or put upon a pedestal those we admire and look up to. When we do we will eventually come to the realization that they are simply human and sinners, no different than our selves. In this case the disappointment led to discouragement and doubt and mistrust and feelings of animosity. As I drove to work I put on a CD and tried to return to the sure source of strength and hope and security, Jesus Christ. The songs played and slowly my spirit began to warm. Then a song called "My Brother's Keeper" started. I had heard these words a hundred times before, but this time the words struck me somehow in a fresh way. Friendships are yet another means by which God helps to stir us to Love and Glorify Him. Frail people with faults, sins, hang-ups, weaknesses, selfish motives, hypocritical actions and all the crazy things that make up each one of us are joined together as a family under Christ.

"Now the plumber's got a drip in his spigot
The mechanic's got a clank in his car
And the preacher's thinking thoughts of the wicked
And the lover's got a lonely heart
My friends ain't the way I wish they were
They are just the way they are

And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper

Now this roof has got a few missing shingles
But at least we got ourselves a roof
And they say that she's a fallen angel
I wonder if she recalls when she last flew
There's no point in pointing fingers
Unless you're pointing to the truth

And I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper

I will be my brother's keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won't despise him for his weakness
I won't regard him for his strength
I won't take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will ~ I will be my brother's keeper"

Written by: A Beaker; Richard Mullins

The Bible reminds us of the unique bond that all who are part of the church experience. One of my favorite passages is found in Colossians. There Paul outlines the key tools for the members of Christ's body to hold to. It is important to notice that he starts by reminding us that we have been created in a new image and we should aspire to look like our Father and no longer behave in the way we used to. It begins by learning who we are (being renewed in knowledge) so that we know the attributes and characteristics of Christ. To know them we have to be familiar with Christ and with His Word. As we learn about Him we will recognize those things that His children should grow in. Summed up God's children recognize that they are part of the same family and all share the common experience of being called, chosen and reborn by God who made them holy and part of His beloved family. There is no need to dwell on ethnic backgrounds, skin color, social status, heritage and circumstances for all come into God's family by the calling of God who creates this new life in them. This should lead our hearts to be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, patience and forgiveness. Thanksgiving and a desire to share Christ with one another and worship Him are the natural effect on the members of His family. Teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom learning more about Him and growing in maturity and reflecting Him.

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:9-18 ESV)


It all comes down to recognizing that you and I, each member of the church are indeed brothers and sisters adopted and called into a family, reborn to a new life. It is this calling and this faith that we share in Christ that uniquely defines who we are. In this capacity we lock arms to serve, worship and reflect Christ for God's glory. This life is a battle full of snares, trials, tribulations and a thousand things that divert us from the goal. I can do nothing more important than help my friends to stand up, press on and serve the Master. When I get diverted to pointing my finger at them when they are down or help to knock them down I contribute to the enemies cause. When my friend falls, I must pick him up and even carry him on in the battle. He will do the same for me. God desires that and gave us one another to carry the load for His glory and praise. AMEN!