Brotherly affection

Tuesday April 27, 2021

Brotherly affection

Join your faith... piety ; and to godliness, brotherly affection... 2 Peter 1: 5-7

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. 1 John 3:14

In a normal family, there is usually a strong sense of belonging and, as a result, a certain affection develops between siblings. In the family of faith, it is the same when we realize that we are all of the family of God. We each have the life of Christ, the same Spirit, the same hope, and we know that the Father loves each other with the same immense and unconditional love.

Let us not push the comparison too far because, in the natural family, it is natural feelings that are expressed while, in the family of faith, fraternal affection rests on our communion with the same God, the same Savior. However, it must be recognized that there are times when this brotherly affection is, as in a family, put to the test.

There are brothers and sisters around us who are not naturally lovable, not to say difficult to bear. And I myself may think that my attitudes are, rightly or wrongly, frowned upon by other believers. Should I practice fraternal affection for them at a discount ? Certainly not ! On the contrary, I redouble my attention to develop towards these difficult friends a brotherly affection which will be without hypocrisy if I put into practice Paul's invitation : Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12: 21).

Since brotherly love manifests itself in the pursuit of the good of the other, we better understand the frequent exhortations of the New Testament : Be full of affection for one another... exhort one another... look after each other... receive each other... serve each other... support each other... console each other 'other... build each other up, etc.

How far can brotherly affection go ? As far as that of Prisca and Aquila who, to save the life of the apostle Paul, exposed their own lives (Romans 16: 4). Here is a brotherly affection that was not at all theoretical ! Let us remember that we are even invited to give up our lives for the brothers (1 John 3:16) !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)