Gleanings for November 1
BROTHERLY LOVE
Second Peter 1: 7a NKJV: “Add to godliness brotherly kindness (brotherly affection). In this new month, we will continue studying qualities for growing in character.
First Peter 4: 9 “Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ’s body. And in each instance, do it ungrudgingly, cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him.” Amplified Bible
Romans 12: 10 Amplified Bible: “Love one another with brotherly affection, as members of one family, giving precedence and showing honor to one another.”
1 Thessalonians 4: 9: Amplified Bible: “But concerning brotherly love (for all other Christians), you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been personally taught by God to love one another.”
Did you notice the last sentence of that
verse? “You yourselves
have been personally taught by God” Do you really believe
that? Every time we
read a truth from God’s Word, we are being “personally taught”.
This is one reason I love to quote scriptures. We can learn from one another but the main source of growth comes as we read and study the Bible. It’s Author, the Holy Spirit, is the ONE WHO wants to help you grow and develop a character that will produce the kind of “brotherly kindness” we are writing about today.
Being, not just “tolerant” of others, but truly being kind and treating them as Jesus would have done when He was on earth; this is the kind of action that will speak to those who have not come to know His love for themselves. Also, we should accept other Christians who may not believe exactly as we do in doctrine. Trusting JESUS as Savior is the one essential ingredient. The Old Testament speaks to this:
Psalm 133 tells what the results will be when we show love to all who are part of the Body of Christ; this is a summary of the Psalm:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brothers (and sisters) to dwell together in unity! It is like precious ointment….it is like the dew that comes
from the hills of
Notice one more scripture: Hebrews 13:1—Amplified Bible—“Let love for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you, never let it fail!!” That is some good advice and it will help us to KNOW
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!