Yes, "bro" is in the dictionary and it means soul brother and is a term of endearment. But I am referring especially to our brothers in the Lord, though there are applications to our fellow man and siblings. There is a command to love the brethren, of course, but this entails respect, which goes hand in hand. All our brothers deserve respect because they are in Christ. The Scriptures tell us to give respect to whom respect is due. All human beings have dignity as being in the image of God, though it is tarnished by the fall. We should love our blood brothers naturally and shouldn't have to be commanded to do that.
All Christians should submit to one another in the name of Christ and not lord it over the others or play God. There are those believers who are godly and trust in the Lord and then there are those who try to be God and are domineering. Some people just like to be the boss and work for themselves (they don't like to take orders, but give them!), spiritually speaking. Like being a one-man band in the church or what is a so-called "pastor-driven" church. It should be ruled by elders. There really is no such biblical basis for that kind of church government. Though the husband is the head of the wife, he is not the boss and should also submit to her in the Lord.
So, to get closer to home: The Bible says in Deut. 23:7: "Don't abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother...." Obadiah says: "Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his adversity." We should never be ashamed of our brother, sister, or kinfolk, or refuse to acknowledge them. For it goes in an analogy that he who is ashamed of Christ in them will also be shamed by Christ. For example, if your brother (I don't necessarily mean Christian) is an alcoholic, autistic, mentally ill, disabled, or even gay (now a Christian cannot be gay), don't reject him because of that. Having unjust opinions of someone because they are "different" is mere prejudice. God may be giving you that kind of ministry or trying to teach you (both the person that is different and his or her themselves) something.
Now, it is said, that an Englishman is a "self-made man who worships his creator." There is no such creature as a self-made man! The Bible says in Isa. 51:1 to "look to the rock from which you were hewn and the stone from which you were cut." In other words, don't forget where you came from and what your roots are, and become cocky or prideful in your success--for it is the Lord who gives you the power to make wealth (Deut. 8:18). Isa. 48:17 says, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way that you should go."
We are not self-made men, but a product of those we have been around during our journey through life. I am a part of you, and you are a part of me (that is if we know each other). "He who mocks the poor insults his creator." "The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all." James says that if we are poor we should be thankful because God has made us rich in faith. If you saw the movie "It's A Wonderful Life," you probably realize the impact that one life can have and what it would have been like hadn't you ever been born.
Real success is finding your spiritual niche (you must fine your charisma or gift first) and calling in Christ, not achieving the so-called American dream. The safest place to be is in the will of God and there is a hedge of protection around us. We should not look down on others who have not attained the level of success we have or compare ourselves with others because we are all unique creations of God, our maker, and potter. We are simply vessels of honor for His glory. Soli Deo Gloria!
All Christians should submit to one another in the name of Christ and not lord it over the others or play God. There are those believers who are godly and trust in the Lord and then there are those who try to be God and are domineering. Some people just like to be the boss and work for themselves (they don't like to take orders, but give them!), spiritually speaking. Like being a one-man band in the church or what is a so-called "pastor-driven" church. It should be ruled by elders. There really is no such biblical basis for that kind of church government. Though the husband is the head of the wife, he is not the boss and should also submit to her in the Lord.
So, to get closer to home: The Bible says in Deut. 23:7: "Don't abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother...." Obadiah says: "Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his adversity." We should never be ashamed of our brother, sister, or kinfolk, or refuse to acknowledge them. For it goes in an analogy that he who is ashamed of Christ in them will also be shamed by Christ. For example, if your brother (I don't necessarily mean Christian) is an alcoholic, autistic, mentally ill, disabled, or even gay (now a Christian cannot be gay), don't reject him because of that. Having unjust opinions of someone because they are "different" is mere prejudice. God may be giving you that kind of ministry or trying to teach you (both the person that is different and his or her themselves) something.
Now, it is said, that an Englishman is a "self-made man who worships his creator." There is no such creature as a self-made man! The Bible says in Isa. 51:1 to "look to the rock from which you were hewn and the stone from which you were cut." In other words, don't forget where you came from and what your roots are, and become cocky or prideful in your success--for it is the Lord who gives you the power to make wealth (Deut. 8:18). Isa. 48:17 says, "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way that you should go."
We are not self-made men, but a product of those we have been around during our journey through life. I am a part of you, and you are a part of me (that is if we know each other). "He who mocks the poor insults his creator." "The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all." James says that if we are poor we should be thankful because God has made us rich in faith. If you saw the movie "It's A Wonderful Life," you probably realize the impact that one life can have and what it would have been like hadn't you ever been born.
Real success is finding your spiritual niche (you must fine your charisma or gift first) and calling in Christ, not achieving the so-called American dream. The safest place to be is in the will of God and there is a hedge of protection around us. We should not look down on others who have not attained the level of success we have or compare ourselves with others because we are all unique creations of God, our maker, and potter. We are simply vessels of honor for His glory. Soli Deo Gloria!