Paul says in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

If this were modernized it might read, “In Christ all the barriers, and prejudices are gone.
There are to be no Jew and non-Jew sides, no racial divisions, no social class divisions, no male or female prejudicial differences. Christians are equal and one in Jesus.”

So it is time to “nail this down” the “brotherhood” of Christ, belongs to Christ, no
one else. The church was ‘founded’ as a result of the work of Christ, and ‘built’ to accomplish (carry on) His work here on earth. Becoming a part of the brotherhood of Christ means ‘belonging equally to Him’, ‘united equally together’ in the work and mission of Jesus. Becoming one with Christ, we therefore become one and equal with each other in the fellowship of the saved, (Ephesians 2:14-22; 5:23).

Obedience does not change the gift aspect of this relationship for anyone. Salvation is no less a gift for the rich as it is for the poor. Salvation is no more a blessing for the man than it is for a woman. All are encouraged and expected to grow spiritually and be involved in evangelistic effectiveness. Whatever we do in Christ to further the work and accomplish the mission of Christ is BECAUSE of Jesus. Every single member of the saved community of Christ is the recipient of the gift of grace. (1) Brotherhood in Christ is a PRESENT REALITY, (2) Brotherhood in Christ is created by God, thus a DIVINE REALITY, (3) Everyone is equal in Christ.

There are no ‘big wheels’, nor ‘charter members’ who are ‘elevated’…We don’t vote on someone coming into the brotherhood to see if they are “good enough”, or “worthy”, because none of us are. The love we share for each other, is simply because of the love that Jesus has for each individual.

So, as surely as Christ has not loved us because of skin color, bank accounts, houses we live in, the jobs we may have, or the status we have in the community… each
Christian is bound to love the brotherhood the same way. WE APPROVE THE CHOICE OF CHRIST, WHO BY HIS REDEEMING WORK, HAS CHOSEN US ALL AND BROUGHT US INTO BROTHERHOOD. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF WHO IS IN OR OUT…JESUS IS!

“Human love” and “human mutual acceptance” and “human mutual interest in spiritual
things” is not enough. Human love and acceptance, loves and receives people for their own sake. Loving in Christ means we love people for Christ’s sake.

As surely as Christ did not choose on the basis of skin color or social status or moral
performance … our brotherhood with Him, is not based on race, color, or moral performance. Peter says, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (I Peter 2:17). Here he is ‘pointing’ in four directions, (1) towards God, (2) towards those that are without, (3) towards earthly rulers, (4) and towards the brotherhood of Christ.

Now that you are a believer, one who’s every sin is washed away, and one who’s every sin will be forgiven in grace by his blood; you have brothers and sisters all over the world. From every nation, and tribe on earth. You are part of a world wide body, church, family, of God in Christ Jesus.

Brotherhood is not a dream, a wish, a hope, a goal for which we strive. It is a present reality. Something to be enjoyed, and preserved by exercising love and patience, and applying the grace of God to each other. We dare not “disown” those whom God claims as His own!

“Honor your rulers” but “LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD”. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

When you are a Christian, you truly belong to a marvelous family, and brotherhood. Do all you can to encourage and build it up. Because we are “heaven bound”… together!