Brotherly Love

Romans 12:10--Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

     While preparing for a walk through the Sheldon parade this last weekend, I was met by a friend and minister of the local Baptist church.  After a little small talk, he extended the use of the churches parking lot for our van and the use of the churches restrooms for our family(the same invitation was given to many others as well).  It was very wonderful to see such an act of kindness.  There were no monitors "guarding" the door or any attendants making sure we didn't dirty the carpet, just simple brotherly love being extended to others.  What a breath of fresh air this was to me.  I see many examples in Christian churches today, very few do I desire to emulate...this one is the exception.

     Show love.  John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  What better way can a true believer show the world Jesus than through genuine, sincere love?  Many today desire the structure of church, but have no desire to impart the true fellowship of it.  We may enjoy the comforts that church can provide, but don't ask us to step out of our comfort zone.  We will love others as long as they dress like us, smell like us, and behave like us, but love will not and cannot be extended to those that are different.  What kind of gospel is that?  Are you showing love to others?  How can you begin to show it?

     Show love by being hospitable.  Romans 12:13 says, "distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality."  Just as Brother Lamb opened the doors of his church to other families, we should be opening the doors of our home and our heart to those around us.  Are you given to hospitality?  The word "given" literally means pursuing, going after, searching for opportunity.  I rarely see that in "Christians" today.  Allow me to go one step further and give you the attitude with which you should be hospitable.  I Peter 4:9 says, "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."  Many ministers' wives open their homes to others and can appear hospitable, but is it done without grumbling?  As you strive to show love through hospitality, check your heart and motives.  If they are not in line, ask God to strengthen you and create the right spirit within you.

     A blessing or a warning.  II Peter 1:5-7 describe the attributes that every believer should work towards.  In verse 7 brotherly kindness and love are mentioned.  Verse 8 tells us that if these attributes are abounding in us then we will be, "neither barren(useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  But if these attributes are lacking, verse 9 tells us that we are shortsighted, even to blindness, and have forgotten that we were cleansed for our old sins.  Which boat are you in?

     May Christ aid you in showing brotherly love and hospitality to all, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Restraining our lips

Proverbs 10:19--In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

     This issue is one that I must continue to critique.  Do I talk to much?  Is my speech what it should be?  Taming my tongue is a continual battle that I must be aware of.  With it I can praise my Father and also curse my fellow man.  These things should not be so.  Allow me to share a few verses with you that can help illustrate how essential it is for us to restrain our lips.

     Proverbs 17:27-28 says, "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.  Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips he is considered perceptive."  Verse 28 is a life saver for me.  I don't have to be extremely wise or even very perceptive, if I keep my mouth shut I can be counted wise and considered perceptive.  This encourages me to put a filter over my mouth and be sure that all that is said is necessary and proper.  All to often my tongue will speak when it would have been better suited to stay silent.

     James 1:19 says, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.."  How often do we switch the "swift" and "slow's" around?  We are quick to speak our mind and slow to listen to the thoughts of others.  May I encourage you to ask more questions and ramble less.  Even if the topic is not unGodly, our multitude of words may lead to unwholesome speech.

     A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.  Proverbs 25:11  May God assist you in choosing what to say and when to speak.