Issue 909 – Brothers – November 14, 2022
At a spray park, I snapped this shot of two of my grandsons a few years ago. I was touched by Isaiah’s compassion and love for his little brother. Being typical siblings, they don’t always get along, but the love is there.
In an ideal world, siblings would always get along with each other, but we all know this fallen world is less than perfect. Brothers and sisters fight; parents and children don’t always see eye to eye. That’s life in a broken world.
All true Christian believers are siblings.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will… Ephesians 1:3-5
As siblings, there will be times when we disagree, even seriously, over important issues. In those times, we ought to stop to remember that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and respond to one another accordingly.
Too often, the world sees us disagreeing over petty things or, worse yet, in very ungodly ways. Who wants to get involved with a family that can never get along or is so ugly when they disagree? It hampers our witness.
Jesus gave us many markers to show the world we belong to him. One that we often miss the mark on is…
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:21
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
I don’t always remember to love those I disagree with. If it were not for the Spirit dwelling in me, I might never do so. I am striving to remember to always love my brothers and sisters in Christ and to act in love even when we disagree.
I have sometimes argued with God. He reminds me to love them and reconcile, and I respond, “But God, they wronged me. THEY should be the ones making amends.”
That is usually when these verses come to mind …
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:17-18
For the sake of my witness and the glory of my king, I choose to love my brothers (and sisters) even when we don’t get along. By the power of the Spirit, may I do so.
Are there brothers and sisters you have not been loving in Christ? Are there differences to be reconciled? The world is watching.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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