Daily Devotional – Saturday, July 16, 2022
Let brotherly love continue.
Hebrews 13:1 (NKJV)
rophet Malachi asks a fundamental question, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10). Because we are Adam’s biological offspring, we are all blood relatives.
Unfortunately, due to sin, the human family is deeply divided along racial, ethnic, social and economic lines. Sibling rivalries result in vicious conflicts and death in families. This is far from God’s intention for the family at creation.
He Gave the Right to Become Children of God
To counter the effects of sin, God established a new type of family, with Jesus, not Adam, as the patriarch. According to Apostle John, “as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…” (John 1:12).
Followers of Christ, therefore, are siblings in one big household of God. We are united not only by blood but also by a common experience of being born again in Christ.
However, like any other family, differences in decision-making and choices arise hence threatening familial cohesion. Within this context, we must heed Paul’s counsel, “Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1).
Let Us Do Good to All
Our siblings are not perfect. Let us love them anyway. The other children of our Father will wander away from God sometimes. Let us lovingly woo them back. Our brothers and sisters will face pain and discouragement often. Let us give them a shoulder to cry on.
Jesus says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10).
How are you going to express brotherly love to another child of God today?
Prayer
Loving Father, teach me how to demonstrated brotherly love to all my siblings.
