Black Sheep

BSHDFC E-Mag January 2019 | Page 3 Marty Edwards It's a term we hear a lot within the biker culture: "Brothers from another mother!" I get it! Those who ride together some mes share a deeper bond than two employees si ng across the desk from each other. The same dynamic, I have heard, exists between two people having returned from war or gone through a trauma c experience, but for the children of GOD it's even more so. We share one Father and the promise of an eternity together. Before I go any further, I must apologize to the women who may object to the tle of this ar cle. Everything in this story applies to women as much as it does men, but it's BFAM that is o en shared in the biker world, not "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." So, "love and respect" to our ladies! This story is for ewe too! For the Chris an, GOD is our father and JESUS is our elder brother. Throughout the Bible, the family of God is described as "brothers and sisters." More so than even an earthly family, the Chris an family will not cease at the end of this life. Our communion will go on throughout all eternity! Why is it then that some Chris ans struggle to get along more than others? (I know that my earthly brothers and I had some pre y good "fights" growing up!) Even though we have been "saved" or "born again" we s ll carry baggage from the old life. Let me be more direct: SIN is why we don't o en get along with one another. SIN is why we have so many different churches in one city and so many different Chris an motorcycle organiza ons. Yes, there are legi mate reasons for a new church or another motorcycle ministry, but in more cases than not, division is the issue. Brothers From Another mother Our members go through several months of careful "mentorship" (instead of "prospec ng") in prepara on for effec ve ministry. Lesson IX is en tled, "OUR UNITY: Love One Another." In that chapter I wrote, "The most common problem to distract ministry has been people simply not ge ng along with one another. It's not the devil! It's not outlaw bikers. It's Chris ans who just can't seem to get along. Our greatest enemy infects our hearts and minds with ego, pride, selfishness and rebellion." It takes deliberate discipline and self-denial for people to get along! What then does it mean to "love one another?" Well, let me tell you this: It's not just hugging and saying, "He's my brother from another mother!" Hugs and words can be superficial. True love is hard work! Some say a successful marriage is 50/50. Not so! A truly successful marriage must be 100/100; both partners working selflessly together ALL of the me! The Bible helps us to understand EXACTLY what love is and you can find it by searching the words "one another" in the New Testament. • Be devoted to one another • Accept one another • Instruct one another • Agree with one another • Serve one another • Bear with one another • Forgive one another • Submit to one another • Encourage one another • Be sympathe c…compassionate • Remain humble towards one another I know. It's easier SAID than DONE, but that's why I chose the words DELIBERATE, DISCIPLINED and SELF-DENIAL. I believe one of the reasons we don't try harder in our churches (or motorcycle ministry) is because it's much easier to quit and walk away. (There's always another church we can go to.) We try harder in our marriages and jobs because the stakes are so HIGH – but what stakes could be any higher than having been commanded by God to sincerely love and care for one another? The next me you throw your arms around another brother and give him the required "three pats on the back" ask yourself, "How far would I really go to prove my love for this my brother (or sister)?

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