Brotherly Love

-May 24, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

(Romans 12:10).

Philadelphia is the Greek word for brotherly love. We even have a city by this name in Pennsylvania that is still referred to as the City of Brotherly Love. So many verses in the NT speak of our love for one another. We love because Christ first loved us. The biggest hindrance to loving others is our own sinful flesh. One of the evidences of our salvation that we love others as Jesus loves us.

Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.” To do this we must forgive others and not hold grudges or seek revenge or retribution on those who hurt us. There are two ways to show brotherly love according to our beloved brother and apostle: show affection and give preference in honor to others. The term brotherly love is defined as, “Feelings of humanity and compassion toward one’s fellow humans.” For Christians, our brotherly love is best shown to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Affection is an important aspect of love: a hug, a kiss, a handshake, a fist bump, a smile, or an act of kindness offered in Jesus’ name and and for His sake. The pandemic changed our ways of showing outward affection. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:8, “For God is my witness how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” Paul used the word all to include every believer, not just our friends and those whom we get along well with, but to everyone.

The second component of brotherly love is to give preference to one another. We honor the Lord and others by putting others and their interests ahead of our own. It takes willing sacrifice and unselfishness on our part. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” To do this we need the mind of Christ. Before love can show it must grow, and before it can grow it must be watered by the Word and fertilized by God’s grace and mercy.

May the Lord help us to show affection and give preference to others. This is what Abraham did when he gave Lot first choice of what land to live in, leaving his own choice in God’s hands. Have a blessed day showing brotherly love. Stay safe and healthy.

Loving as Christ has loved us,

Dean