In 2 Peter 1:5-8, Peter expresses the components of a vital, effective faith. He calls us to add goodness to our faith, knowledge to our goodness, self-control to our knowledge, perseverance to our self-control, godliness to our perseverance, brotherly kindness to our godliness, and love to our brotherly kindness. What is brotherly kindness?
Brotherly kindness, or better, brotherly love is the kind of love one has for their brothers and sisters. It is that kind of love that sticks together through thick and then. Brotherly love was a common expectation in the ancient world, much like today, although it wasn't practiced any more back then than it is today. It was a common enough problem that it is addressed by several writers in the New Testament (See Heb. 13:1, Rom. 12:10, and 1Pet. 1:22).
First John 3:11-18, helps us to understand the nature of brotherly love. John reminds us that the Christian message is rooted in love. We should love one another just as God loved us. We are now his children, and that makes us family.
John commands, "Don't be like Cain" (see 1 John 3:12). Why? Because Cain belonged to the evil one, he murdered his brother, and he was an evil doer. His hatred of his brother marked Cain as a son of the devil. The mark of God's children is love. The devil hates and murders; God loves and redeems. This dichotomy drives the tension between God's people and the world. God's people seek to do right and please God. The devil's people seek to do evil and disobey God.
If Cain teaches us to understand hate, how are we to understand love? John tells us that we know what love is because Jesus' death. Love sacrifices itself. It gives to others, before taking for itself. John gives a practical example of how this plays out for believers: the will to help those in need. Those who don't want to help others, don't really show (or possess) the love of God. Our love is to be in word and deed.
The mark of the Christian is love. Love for God, and love for our fellow believers. Love isn't just what we are called to do, it is who we are. It is deeply ingrained in our spiritual DNA. Do you love your brothers? What are some of the ways you show it? Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.
Showing posts with label Kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindness. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Assume the Best
Whenever you have a group of people working together there is going to be some tension. Tension isn't always a bad thing. If handled properly, tension can bring about growth. However, if not handled properly tension can cause needless pain.
James, the brother of Jesus and a pastor in the early church, warned, "My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness" (James 1:19-20, HCSB).
The apostle Paul has some words of warning as well. He states, "[Love] does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs" (1 Cor. 13:5). He also states, "For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder" (2 Cor. 12:20). Again, Paul states, "All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice" (Eph. 4:31).
The temptation in life is to assume the worse in others. We question their motives, we read into their words, and we suspect their character. However, we want them to trust our motives, correctly interpret our words, and recognize our characters. Differences of opinions or approaches often lead to conflict because we misunderstand one another.
Although the solution is simple, it isn't always easy. Paul encourages, "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ" (Eph. 4:32). Jesus said, "Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them--this is the Law and Prophets" (Matt. 7:12).
The best course of action when working with others is to assume the best. Even though Jesus knew Judas's heart, he didn't treat him differently. Jesus knew Judas was a thief, yet Jesus still allowed him to be the treasurer. He treated Judas with loving kindness. He even washed Judas's feet. It is impossible for us to know what is in other peoples hearts, so we need to trust them. Even if they do things differently than we would, or say things in a way that rub us the wrong way. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt.
In the long run, it isn't about us. It is about the glory of God. As believers, we all strive in our own way to glorify God. Sometimes, we succeed. Sometimes, we fail. At all times, we seek grace. Therefore, at all times we must give grace. Unless they prove otherwise, we must always assume that those around us are striving to glorify God, as well. If we approach the task of working with others for the glory of God in humility and love, everything else can be worked out.
James, the brother of Jesus and a pastor in the early church, warned, "My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness" (James 1:19-20, HCSB).
The apostle Paul has some words of warning as well. He states, "[Love] does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs" (1 Cor. 13:5). He also states, "For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder" (2 Cor. 12:20). Again, Paul states, "All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice" (Eph. 4:31).
The temptation in life is to assume the worse in others. We question their motives, we read into their words, and we suspect their character. However, we want them to trust our motives, correctly interpret our words, and recognize our characters. Differences of opinions or approaches often lead to conflict because we misunderstand one another.
Although the solution is simple, it isn't always easy. Paul encourages, "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ" (Eph. 4:32). Jesus said, "Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them--this is the Law and Prophets" (Matt. 7:12).
The best course of action when working with others is to assume the best. Even though Jesus knew Judas's heart, he didn't treat him differently. Jesus knew Judas was a thief, yet Jesus still allowed him to be the treasurer. He treated Judas with loving kindness. He even washed Judas's feet. It is impossible for us to know what is in other peoples hearts, so we need to trust them. Even if they do things differently than we would, or say things in a way that rub us the wrong way. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt.
In the long run, it isn't about us. It is about the glory of God. As believers, we all strive in our own way to glorify God. Sometimes, we succeed. Sometimes, we fail. At all times, we seek grace. Therefore, at all times we must give grace. Unless they prove otherwise, we must always assume that those around us are striving to glorify God, as well. If we approach the task of working with others for the glory of God in humility and love, everything else can be worked out.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Generocity
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to it" (Prov. 3:27, ESV). "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17, ESV).
Sometimes, I feel like an easy mark. Almost any time I'm in a big city somebody asks me for money. I must just look generous (and no, I won't give you money if you email me). I find myself wanting to cling to my money when someone asks me to share it, but I rarely have the same problem when I see stuff I want to buy. In my heart I know that this is wrong. Jesus always saw people as more important than stuff.
Jesus didn't die for all of the trinkets mankind so desperately pursues. He died to redeem mankind and the rest of creation, but not stuff. Yet, we often treat things as more important than people, and exploit nature in order to have possessions.
It would be more Christlike to be more concerned with people, than things. Once Jesus stated that he had no where to rest his head. Which means he didn't have his own house. In a certain sense, he had to rely on the kindness of strangers. Many who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry abandoned their families, jobs, and homes in order to be a part of his kingdom. They were willing to make the sacrifice, because they knew that what they gained would be better than what they lost.
When we give generously to others, we are imitating Christ. The heart, which loves things, always cries, "What if they misuse it?" Jesus said, "Give to every one who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back" (Luke 6:30). Do we trust our stuff more than we trust the Lord? Can he not provide for our needs?
Why should we question their motives? Why should we withhold good from them when we have the ability to give? Why should we hold on this world's goods when we see people in need? When we cling to our possessions we are say in one of two things: they are more valuable than Jesus or Jesus can't be trusted to provide. But if we would just seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the things we need would be added to us. If only we truly believed Matthew 6:33, maybe we would live it more fully. We give, because much has been given to us. God has blessed us, so that we may bless others.
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