Devotionals

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Love of the Brethren

I prayed and thought about what I could share with you in devotion. I wanted it to be something personal that Jesus has brought in my life in good measure; something I could share in joy with a smile on my face; something that was truly a personal experience and not just a concept. What resulted was a devotional on brotherly love, I thought it very fitting at a men’s prayer breakfast and pray it will bless out hearts today.

Let’s Pray…

When I see any of you, one of my first thoughts is “brother”. You hear me call you brother when I greet you and I confess to you today I truly love calling you my brothers. When I call you brother, it reminds me of being in God’s family, an eternal family with no end. It blesses my heart and makes me very grateful and thankful for Jesus Christ who is the heart of our family.

I wanted to share with you some scripture that point out to me this “love of the brethren” that the early church demonstrated so long ago. I hope it challenges us all to seek and renew this love, rooted in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:4-6
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.

This scripture tells us that Paul was continually thankful to see the love of Christ “in action” among all the saints, God’s family. This love and faith Paul describes was “in action” because they recognized the connection they all had in Christ. Paul prayed that this connection, this common bond, would effectively be the motivation for every good thing they did.

When I see all of you, I see this connection, this common bond in Christ, and it brings me joy. I see a timeless relationship that will go on forever and ever. It blows my mind!

2 Corinthians 2:13
I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.

This may seem a very obscure scripture, but I point out how Paul describes not finding Titus his brother. Note that this love of the brethren is more than a feeling, but a spiritual bond that can only come from God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul had “no rest for his spirit”, something more than a feeling he had but an internal, deep rooted concern for his brother in Christ.

This is very touching and intimate to me. (In a manly kind of way, of course)

Philippians 2:25-26
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.(KJV)

Observe how Paul describes his brother as a “companion in labor” and a “fellow soldier”. Paul had an understanding that we all have a common cause and should face trials and hard times together. And through all Epaphroditus’ hard work and service to the Lord, he maintained a longing for his brothers and was full of heaviness when he knew they were worried about him.

This is inspiring to me.




Philemon 1:16
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Look at how Paul describes Onesimus to Philemon after his conversion. Being a brother in Christ is special! In fact, this conversion is a miracle. We are truly set apart when we come to know Christ personally. We are no longer just in the flesh, but are now in the Lord as well, and as such are much more valuable to each other. Jesus Christ is our common bond forever and God gives us a new heart enabling us to share this bond.


1 Timothy 6:2
Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these {principles.}

This scripture makes me ask myself this question: Do I understand that our bond in Christ transcends the natural, the circumstances, and the unfortunate. God puts a greater importance on this common bond we have in Christ Jesus when He calls a slave to server his master “all the more” because he is a fellow brother in Christ. Regardless of the circumstances, Paul calls the slave not to be disrespectful to his master, but to put his believing master in higher regard because of Jesus Christ.

This is very deep to me.

Finally I want to share these two other scriptures with you and which are self explanatory.

1 John 4:21
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Hebrews 13:1
Let the love of the brethren continue.

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