Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood

If you are familiar with the Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper (and you should be at least aware of the Biblical truths these promises reflect) then you know that Promise 6 says:



A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.



Here, in the greater Fayette County area, a number of us have been using the phrase "Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood" to describe our efforts to build unity in the local body of Christ.



The Scripture gives us our mandate for unity:

In Psalm 133:1 we read, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." (NIV)

In Ephesians 2:13-16 we learn, "But now in Christ Jesus you who were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, Who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law and its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility."

In Ephesians 4:3-6 we are told "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and on Spirit -- just as you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all."

In 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 we see "... that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed us to the ministry of reconciliation."

My hope is that many of you will be convicted by God's Word on this matter and be moved to join in the effort to build unity by Building Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood.

Why Building? Because it says that there is work to be done. It's up to us to do our part and none of us should think that this is going to be easy. I believe that God is doing His part by stirring the hearts of many of us to prepare us for this work. There is much to do and much to overcome, but we can make and are making progress.

Why Biblical? Because that's the type of Bridge that God desires for his people. Many have had varying degrees of success building other types of bridges: political, social, economic, legal...
and these are all good, but as Oswald Chambers reminds us regularly in My Utmost for His Highest (highly recommend reading), we should not allow the good to get in the way of the best.

Why Bridges? Because we have to be honest with ourselves and recognize that there is a gap between us racially within the Church. Many have said it: "The Eleven O'clock hour on Sunday remains the most racially devided hour in America."

Why Brotherhood? Because the basis for moving forward ahs to be our recognition that God is our Father and Christ is our Brother. That makes us brothers in Christ already! Now we just need to learn how to act like brothers.

I hope to add some practical ideas soon for Building thes Biblical Bridges of Brotherhood in a future blog, but for now please consider what God is calling you to do and pray.

If you are looking for a first step, come next Sunday, July 29, 2007, to the Fayette County Christian Fellowship (FCCF) "5th Sunday Celebration" at 2:30 PM at Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal (A. M. E.) Church. (See the Faith and/or Happennings Pages on www.fayettefrontpage.com for more information.) The Pastor at Flat Rock A. M. E., Reverend Ed Johnson, is a welcoming brother in Christ. Likewise, the other participating churches in the FCCF are eager to have you join us!