BIG BROTHER

 

                What do you think about when you hear the term ‘Big Brother’? Are they positive thoughts or negative thoughts? Do you smile upon hearing that term or does your face frown up? It’s amazing how a word or term can have many different meanings. With that said we will talk about three different ‘Big Brothers’ in our lives, and their importance.

                The first big brother is what can be called the evil big brother. This big brother is all about control. It wants to know your every move and at the same time looks to manipulate you into doing its bidding. This big brother claims to care about your well-being, but all it really cares about is itself. It is always in your business, whether you want it to be or not. Now if you’re thinking of in terms of the benefits you receive from this big brother, then you may think it ain’t all that bad. However, when you look at the full spectrum of this big brother - understand its true agenda, and know the spiritual implications behind it all - then you’ll realize this is not the kind of big brother you want.

Unfortunately there is no escaping this big brother, no matter where you live in the world. This big brother is known as the government. Yes the government. Now we won’t go into detail about the government’s agenda - that can be covered during Coffee, Tea & He! What we will talk about is what we are to do with this inescapable evil big brother. So what are we to do? We pray! That’s right. This is what the apostle Paul instructed Timothy, and what he is instructing us to do today. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul says “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and reverence.” This is what we are called to do as Christians. We don’t just pray for those who we love, care for, and know about. We also pray for those who oppose us, who hate us, and who we don’t know about. Paul says to lead a quiet and peaceable life, not to have a quiet and peaceable life. To encourage one to lead would suggest that someone is to follow. So it ain’t all about you. And even though this big brother isn’t looking out for your best interests, we are still called to live our lives of Godliness and reverence.

                The second ‘Big Brother’ can be looked at as good or bad based on the relationship. And not everyone will have this big brother. If you have this big brother, and it’s a good one, then you have a sense of security when he is around. The privilege of this big brother can only exist if you have an older sibling. The innate protective qualities of a big brother is instilled in them before they even realize it. But they have a choice whether or not to exert these qualities. I myself have a big brother who fits this description. He is someone I look up to in my life. And it’s not just the age factor that brings about this big brother. For many, there is that physical element as well. At 5’11” and 190 lbs. I am not a little guy, but standing next to my big brother who is 6’0” and 250lbs. you see the difference. You feel a little safer when he’s around. And you let it be known too. When you’re talking to someone else you may say ‘Me and my big brother’… People know about your big brother. Unlike my big brother, there are some big brothers who fit the description but don’t fit the mold. These are your bad big brothers. Nevertheless, we still pray for them as we would anyone else.

                The third ‘Big Brother’ is what I’d like to call the perfect big Brother. There aren’t enough words, or paper to write it down, to remotely describe the qualities of this big Brother. He is the ultimate big Brother. Unlike the evil big brother, this big Brother does care about us and does look out for our well-being. And unlike the good big brother, He already knew His protective qualities before we were even born. His love is unconditional. He doesn’t boast about His position as big Brother. He is our Protector and our Sustainer. The biggest disappointment for all of us is that there are many people who don’t know or realize that He is our big Brother. How sad is that? To not know that we have a perfect big Brother who loves us dearly and wants the best for us. The perfect big Brother that I am talking about is Jesus Christ Himself. Yes He is our big Brother. Oh you didn’t know that? Well, let’s go to the Word. In Galatians 3:26 it says that “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” It goes on the say in Galatians 4:4-5 that “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” You see once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10) we are adopted into the family of God.

                Now the question is do you acknowledge your perfect big Brother, Jesus Chris, to others? You remember when you were younger and one of your classmates in school tried to tell you something you didn’t agree with. But instead of just saying what you believe is right you start off by saying ‘My big brother said/told me…” It makes what you say more believable when you put a name behind it. Have you used the name of Jesus the same way? If someone said to you that they want a big house (open concept and stainless steel appliances!), two cars, two and half kids and a dog do you tell them to go for it by any means necessary? Or do you respond by saying JESUS said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). There is power in the name of Jesus. Let me tell you something else the Jesus said. In Matthew 10:33, Jesus said “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Don’t deny our perfect big Brother. Let’s reclaim our position in Christ and He will reclaim your position before the Father. Jesus also said in the previous verse (Matthew 10:32) that “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” That is one of His promises.

                Don’t be fearful to talk about Jesus Christ, our perfect big Brother. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Let’s stay connected and in right relationship with our perfect big Brother, Jesus Christ. He is here for all of us!