band of brothers and sisters

i read an article that was floating around on facebook the other day that resonated deeply. it was written by a local pasor, will davis jr, and the quotes in this post are from his article found here: http://www.willdavisjr.com/
this topic hits home. this topic frustrates me because unfortunately, the shortcomings of man have blinded some to truth and have hindered the reputation of the true Christ follower. i’m not a Christian because it’s trendy or because i was raised that way… i am a Christian because first and foremost i believe that Christ is the son of God and that He died on my behalf, gave glory to God to allow me to call Him Abba, Father. i didn’t have a problem believing because i was surrounded by people who were living like this new “band of brothers and sisters” that will speaks of. i desired that deeply. as life has progressed my world has expanded; i can see why some of those in my circle have chosen to abandon this faith. they have been hurt or deceived by a “christian,” experienced division, witnessed self-seeking fame in the church, or unexplained conflict. because i claim this faith, it is clear and simple the way i should live my life. love God, love others, and glorify God. 

we should not quarrel or compete, show malice or deceit… instead let’s band together as intended to show compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

imagine of we banded together to celebrate joys, grieve burdens, care for the orphan and widow, love the prostitute…like Jesus did. 

“Today’s version of the Christian religion typically includes a particular political leaning. It’s associated with a powerful Washington lobby.
The label Christian may be attached to some universities that have the name tucked away in their charter somewhere, but in reality they want nothing to do with the belief system to which the name used to refer.
The term “Christian” and another term, “church,” often refer to a particular people and a particular building where people meet once a week for religious activity.
And while there is nothing wrong with having a particular political leaning, attending a university with “Christian” in its name or charter, or going to religious services at a church building once a week, none of that has much of anything to do with the movement the ultimately came to be identified with Christianity.”
…
“I have decided to abandon the “Christian religion” and take up with a band of brothers and sisters who have been around for over 2000 years. They are followers of a man who lived in First Century AD Palestine. He was a Hebrew, born and raised in poverty and worked as a carpenter.
I’m also very attracted to this band of brothers and sisters because of how they lived. They were often admired, even feared, by their contemporaries who didn’t share their faith. They didn’t view their possessions as their own. They were quick to share whatever they had with anyone around them who was in need, even their enemies.
These “followers’ were passionate about caring for the poor, the widows and the outcasts of culture. Their leader taught them that every person on earth mattered to God and that they were to exhaust and empty themselves on behalf of others.
This band believed in forgiveness. They taught that their leader had died to forgive all their sins and the sins of anyone else–regardless of who he was or what he had done–and that they were in turn to forgive others. As a result, this group became very popular among the real “sinners” of their society: prostitutes, tax collectors (who were usually very corrupt) and even rough and tumble fishermen. People with whom I strongly identify.
Maybe you’ve heard of him . . . . .
His name is Jesus.”