LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 13

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. 

Fear God. Honour the king.

 
All Christians are brethren.
 
If we are born of God, he is our Father, 

   Jesus is our elder Brother, and 

   all believers are our brethren.
 
They may differ from us in creed, in outward ceremonies and in many other things, but if they possess the same nature, they should be objects of our love.
 
We cannot refuse to love them, 

  to acknowledge them, 

    to assist them, without sin:

       for our God says, 

        “Love them: love them with a brother’s love.”
 
Let us then look upon all Christians as in Christ, as the beloved children of God, as our brothers and sisters; and let us endeavour to feel for them, and exercise toward them a brother’s love.
 
Such love is natural, strong, tender, constant, complacent.
 
Let us love them so as to pity them in distress, relieve them if in want, help them in difficulties, and prefer them to carnal persons, however excellent such may in many respects be.
 
Let us love them for the sake of their elder brother, for their Father’s sake, and because they are so nearly related to us.
 
Jesus commands you to love every christian, as he has loved you.
 

Myself begotten from above,

I must my Father’s children love,

Born of the Spirit and the word,

Are we not brethren in the Lord,

Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone,

His body mystical, and one?

 
James Smith