BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER

We cannot overstate the prominence and importance of today’s Bible command. If this was obeyed consistently in all of our lives, the evidence of salvation would be such a compelling witness to the lost that many would be attracted to the Saviour as they see the effect of His love among His children.

This kind of love is not found anywhere else in the world. It is unique to the Christian gospel. While it is true that civilized people may show some degree of respect for one another, no amount of mere good manners could produce such an inclusive love for all as should be found in the Christian.

Notice this is a ‘kindly affection’. The words here refer to the affection between a parent and a child. There is nothing quite like it. It is an expression of our heavenly Father’s love toward us. Children have a special place in the hearts of parents. Faults are quickly overlooked and every positive development is quickly praised and usually remembered. So believers should also demonstrate this one to another. The flesh likes to dwell on faults and failings of one another but ‘above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins’, 1 Pet. 4. 8.

The Holy Spirit emphasizes His insistence on love by calling it ‘brotherly love’. While ‘kindly affection’ stresses the kind of love, between a parent and a child, ‘brotherly love’ is a love between brothers. It too is a unique bond. It combines love with natural affection. The weight of these two aspects of today’s command should speak to us all. Is it the character of my life towards my fellow believer?

But there is more! Paul adds a dignity to this by adding, ‘in honour preferring one another’. This includes putting others first in our thinking and actions. It easily allows another’s advancement, prominence and recognition. It has no time to allow petty self seeking and other such childish behaviour. But ‘preferring one another’ also means to treat one another with dignity and respect. Pride is an enemy of fellowship and is usually at the root of disobeying today’s command. May the Lord help us all to be obedient today!