Little Brothers & Man Nights

To my readers

My youngest brother and I have a night we call ‘man-night.’

Essentially, we go watch an awesome manly movie, have a root beer or an icee, and goof off like brothers do. ‘Man-night’ started in the summer of 2007 when the first Transformers movie was released. 

My brother was so excited. I can still see his excitement and joy as we waited in line, popcorn and drinks in hand. 

There is one scene that completely continues to blow my mind. One hero is captured in order to save his friends.  One of his companions tries to rescue him but is stopped by their leader Optimus Prime, worried he may harm a human. 

“Why are we fighting to save the humans? They’re a primitive and violent race.” Asked Ironhide. 

“Were we so different? They’re a young species. They have much to learn.  But I’ve seen goodness in them.  Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.” Optimus Prime 

Have you ever chewed out a younger sibling for doing something childish? I am guilty of this. Sometimes I can be too harsh. 

I have to constantly remind myself when my brother does something childish that he is a boy- not a man.  He’s going to make boy mistakes. 

I have to tell myself this otherwise I am harder on him than I need to be.  I damage his growth of becoming a strong man.  He’s more likely to become a scared and wounded boy trying to play a man rather than building a foundation to become a strong man.

But why do we do this to our brother and sisters of the faith who are young?

Paul writes a letter to Christians in Rome in which he discusses this. He writes,

“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong...Who are you to condemn someone else’s servant? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help they will stand and receive his approval” Romans 14:1&4, NLT.

So often we treat people who are young in faith as though they are spiritual adults.  We want them to instantly act as though they were perfect spiritually.  We begin to fight over things that are not important. 

We start tearing down what little faith is already present. 

I need to be a better spiritual big brother. I needed to remember some of my spiritual siblings are young. They will make spiritual childish mistakes.  I forgot all that mattered is their love towards others. 

Its this love inside them that we should see and try to cultivate and strengthen.

“When we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6, NLT.

Stop fighting with your younger siblings of the faith about things that don’t matter.  Help walk, guide, and build them up into the spiritually mature adults they will one day become. 

Remember, we were also once as young as they were spiritually.  Someone put up with us and helped us along the way- let us return this favor.

Simply, 

Tex G.M. Rule

“When we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Galatians 5:6, NLT.