Some could have a deep misunderstanding of brotherhood as being something where you are constantly correcting the guy next to you. Seeking his faults and pointing them out to others, complaining about that other guy. Claiming that you're just iron sharpening iron.

But in fact you may have become what 1 Cor 13 calls an annoying noise. If I don't have love I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. This is not brotherhood. It's NOT why I started the club. And I don't care if you are a prospect for 10 years, you'll never get my vote until you fix it. Never. Love is what fixes it. I need to see love toward the brothers. Not one brother, or the brothers in another charter, or your ma, but toward the brother who rubs you the wrong way too.

Here are some verses to meditate on about brotherhood. I'm going to expect you prospects to be able to explain them to me. And more, to live them.

James 5:19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

Proverbs 17:9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

March 19, 2016 — James Johnson

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