But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
Brotherly kindness,
Brotherly affection.
The Greek is philadelphia.
It is the distinctive way
The church loves and cares
For one another.
Matthew Henry says we recognize
We are children of the same Father
Servants of the same master
Members of the same family
Travelers to the same country
Heirs to the same inheritance
But it is a righteous love
A love that cannot bear sin in the body
Because of the pain and consequences it brings.
John says you cannot say you love God
And not love your fellow believers.
(1 John 4:20-21)
He also affirms that love
For our brothers and sisters
is evidence, confirmation,
Assurance that we are saved.
(1 John 3:14)
The proof we love other believers…
Showing brotherly kindness.