Add Mutual Affection

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. Another thing the Lord will have us develop is mutual affection (2 Peter 1v7). Some versions of the scripture refer to it as warm friendliness (MSG), brotherly kindness (KJV), and brotherly affection (NLT).  It is interesting that brotherly kindness (warm friendliness) is one of the things we as believers are asked to develop. Have you ever spent time in the company of somebody, friends, family, or a body of believers and you just felt good – great company, encouragement, positive, laughter, could have tears, but it just feels good. Well, the Bible here tells us, that even as we add to the promises and faith that we have virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, and godliness, we should also add brotherly kindness that is mutual affection, or brotherly affection.

I have a pastor who talks of “liking.” So he’d say something like God likes you. The Bible here does distinguish between this mutual affection and love. It’s very easy to get caught up in our own world, and not want to really extend the hand of friendship, or to look out for other people. But sometimes you do it, and you feel all the better for it. And sometimes, it’s not about you. In the body of Christ, we are all important, and we all need each other. Romans 12v10 (AMP) says “Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.” This is not an encouragement to be a busybody in other people’s affairs but to be kindly affectionate, and have brotherly affection for one another, to be accepting of each other, and to genuinely seek the good of one another. Pray for one another, lend a listening ear, help out in whatever way we can, and enjoy the fellowship of believers. Let’s try to like each other. If someone is rubbing you the wrong way, ask God to help you see the person through His eyes. You just never know what they have been through. 1 Peter 4v9 (AMP) says “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).” 

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your Word. Father, help me to be kindly affectionate and friendly to others, in Jesus name, amen. Help me to see people the way You see them, and break down my preconceived notions in Jesus name, amen. Also grant me wisdom to know what to hold on to, and what to let go of in Jesus name, amen.