Brotherly Love and Charity

Broadcast 4120

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Hebrews 13:1-2 (NET) Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Have you ever come in contact with someone you immediately liked because they reminded you of someone you know and love? The reason you favor such people has nothing to do with them personally; it’s simply because they bring to mind someone you truly care about.

I have experienced situations where I am naturally inclined to favor someone simply because they resemble someone I know and love. The favor and kindness these people received from me were simply because they reminded me of someone I deeply cared for.

But what is the difference between brotherly love and charity in Scripture?

Charity refers to the care, kindness, and consideration we show to others because they are human beings created in the image of our heavenly Father. Since people bear the image of God, we are called to love them, knowing that our Father loves them too. Loving others because they reflect God’s image is not just a good idea; it’s a requirement. Scripture even describes it as a debt we owe (see Romans 13:8).

Brotherly love, on the other hand, goes deeper. It is the love we show to fellow believers because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. This love is akin to the natural affection that exists between siblings who share a common family heritage. When we give to our spiritual siblings, we are, in a sense, giving to ourselves because we see them as part of us. The bond that unites believers is stronger than flesh and blood; it’s a shared destiny that transcends time and space. Believers who do not recognize this truth and act contrary to it do so at their own peril. For instance, 1 Corinthians 11:30 reveals that many believers are weak and some even fall asleep (a euphemism for death) because they do not rightly discern the Lord’s body.

Go into today remembering that you have a responsibility to show love to all people because they bear the image of our Father. You also have an even greater obligation to love your Christian brethren, not just because they bear the image of our Father, but because we are all part of one body and members of the same family.

—Abraham Damilola Arigi

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Bible In 1 Year: Psalms 81-83 (in today's audio)

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