kindness

2 Peter 1: ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

We've been looking at the seven qualities and characteristics Peter exhorts us to diligently "add to our faith" from 2 Peter, chapter 1.  Virtue means to "do right".  Knowledge means to grow in "being right".  Self control is yielding to "God's control".  Perseverance means getting up when life knocks us down.  Godliness means to aspire to be like Him.  

Kindness has the same root as "kin" and captures the warmth that family members feel for each other.  So brotherly kindness means to treat others like family, even if they are brothers outside of family.  It may help to remember that Jesus wants us to be His brother as we obey the Father.

 

Matthew 12:⁵⁰ "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan may help us remember who our brothers (and neighbors) are.

Luke 10:⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" ........

³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" 
³⁷ And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Regardless of the family size we come from, we have an opportunity to be family for many.  Jesus has made us brothers that we might also be brothers to others.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith