Who is your Brethren?????

     I have to start out saying that if the subject and message of this blog offends you, or steps on your toes, then welcome to the club. I will not say I am sorry for the message or the meaning. For you see this blog has been something that has been an eye opener for me in many ways. For some of you reading this, it will come as a shock when you read this, and for some it will come as an offence to you. If this message comes at you and offends you then maybe it's time to take a long self evaluation on your beliefs and your walk with Christ. I have had to do alot of that over the last week and I have to tell you self evaluation is very hard, especially when you realize that you are wrong in the way you act about certain things. If you disagree with me, then at the end of your reading this blog, please feel free to send me an email and prove to me biblically I am wrong, for I just don't believe you can do it.
    By now I probably have have your full undivided attention, and I hope I do. Matthew 12:46-50 While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Who are my brethre? A direct question from Jesus to everyone in his presence at the synagogue that day, but I ask you today WHO IS YOUR BRETHREN?
       In the south it seems we have a different definition of who our brethren is. You see it seems to depend on the color of your skin, the origins of your family, your religious beliefs. It depends on the company you keep, your sexual orientation.Take a drive down the road, through the country or right down the center of town and you will see a racially, ethnically, spiritually divided town. Wether it be in Raliegh NC, Durham NC, Philadelphia PA, Seattle WA, or Houston TX. A town divided righ tdown cultural lines and we might make a statement about the conditions of the area or more than we like to admit it, we will make some derogatory racial, or ethnical comment about the people who love there. Now I know I may have already lost some those reading this because the last thing they want to hear is that they are wrong in their way of thinking or they have the mentality that They dont have to listen because maybe they know where there relationship with God is. But do they really.
          WHO ARE MY BRETHREN? first of all look to the left of you, the right of you  and directly behind you on Sunday Morning in Worship service. That is your brethren. These are the folks you get togeter with at least once a week to hear the word of God and to uplift each other. Now, what if the bigest Dope dealer in America is sitting on your left, and a prostituteis sitting on your right and a mass murderer is sitting directly behind you. Well if that's the case, well guess what hat's your brethren. What if at the restaraunt today while you and your having lunch there is a homeless man comes in stinking like trash from he lack of a bath in over 3 months. Yep thats your brother. What if your daughter or your son tell you they are bringing home that someone special, and you open the door and there stands you child with there Fiance, except they are a different skin color and nationality, one you have called everything in the book before. YEP THATS YOUR BRETHREN!!!
            You see brothers and sisters, God did not say that only whites, or only blacks, or only those with blonde hair and blue eyes would make it into Heaven. In Revelations 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Thats right folks, that is your brethren. But honestly how many of us if our child brought home someone wo we have been taught all our lives is inferior or trash, based on nothing but skin color, then how much of a hypocrite are we when we sit in church on Sunday and we pray for the lost and dying of this world. Oh we will send a missionary to say Africa to minister to "Those" people but we go around them in the grocery store and God forbid we have to interact with them. And Lord bring down the fire if our child decides to date one. Now for some of you reading this you are sitting there with your mouths wide open , but I need you to close them before the flies get in.The reason some of these people are sitting reading this in awe and amazement is because I was one of those people.I have never considered myself a racist or a bigot, I have had many friends who were of different color, ethnicity, etc. But God forbid one of my children to date or be with one of "Them". I would go nuts thinking how I was going to keep that from happening and then last Sunday at church something happened in me. I witnessed 2 young men give their lives to Christ and come forward to present themselves as candidates for baptism and membership in the church, and I watched how some people walked passed them and said welcome with their voice but their actions said "why are you here you don't belong here", and it just tore into me. I mean here we are the body of believers, the Church of the one true living God, the redeemed of Christ and we are acting like we are better than someone else. Hello we have no right to think that. I mean Christ gave his blood for "Whosever" not just Bill Roy, or the Pastor of the church or for YOU. NO HE GAVE HIS LIFE WILLINGLY THAT " WHOSOEVER  BELIEVETH ON HIM SHOULD NOT PERSIH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." John 3:16.
      How can we sit on a pew on Sunday morning and be so arrogant? How can we not see that the Blood that was shed at Calvary was for me, but it was also for every man, woman, and child that has ever lived or will ever live on this planet until the Lord comes back to take his Church home. And what is he going to find when he comes to take the "Church" home. Will he find every Nation standing side by side as they wait upon him, or will he see a divided Chruch . One in which no one deserves the gift that he has given, because we failed to realize who our Brethren are? This is a subject that yes, even in 2011 is still a very widely disputed topic, and very taboo for alot of churches because they do not want to admit that there is a problem, a problem with racial division in their church.A problem with sin. I will leave you with this thought , if your Child called and said mom and dad, I am bringing home my fiance for the weekend. And when they ther eand you open the door and your child is standing there with your brethren, would you accept them or throw them out?if need be would you let your child marry Jesus? If the answer to the second Question is yes but you have trouble answering the first one. then my brother and sister, you have an issue like I did. The only answer to both of those question shoul dbe yes, as both questions are actually one in the same.
           God bless all of you who read this and hopefully your toes as well as my toes will quit hurting quickly  after being stomped on today and this past week. Have a blessed day and remember Jesus Loves you and is here for you today.


         In Christ's Love ,
            Bill Roy