Brotherly Love - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

A genuine love for God will invariably lead to a love for others. That’s what Jesus said of the two great commandments (Matt. 22:36-40) that summarize the Ten Commandments. The apostle John also related love for God and love for others: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).

The kind of love that’s called “brotherly kindness” in today’s verse is very practical. It’s a translation of the Greek philadelphia, which might best be rendered “friendship.” We are to be affectionate toward one another. But that does not always happen, especially for those attending big churches. There I fear many people sit on the periphery without developing any relationships. They come to the morning service and then go their way. But that’s not Christian discipleship; we’re to add friendships to our faith and be involved in others’ lives.

People in many different churches want to know more about discipleship, as if it were some complex program surrounded in mystery. But discipleship is simply friendship with a spiritual perspective. Disciples will talk about God, the Scripture, ministry opportunities, and prayer requests—not merely sports, the weather, gardening, or home remodeling. Each is concerned how the other handles the daily affairs and important matters of life. I would encourage you to build friendships and be a part of a Bible study and fellowship group—but make sure your small group does not become exclusive and keep out newcomers.

I once talked to a pastor who had attended one of the annual pastors’ conferences at my church. I asked him what impressed him most about the conference, and he said, “The love of the people for each other. I was drawn to tears when I sensed them worshiping God in the midst of genuine love.” He had seen an application of Jesus’ words, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). You can’t get more practical about Christian love than that!

Pray for other members of your small group. If you’re not in one, ask God to lead you to a group.

Today’s post reminds me of Philadelphia, named after true brotherly love, which has made the city a target for rebellion against God.

Prayers Seeking Knowledge And Wisdom

Heavenly Father, the things that are happening in the world today are waxing worse and worse, just as the Bible said would happen in these end times, and we look to You to know what to do. Lord, we look to You for knowledge and wisdom at a time when all that is connected with God and godliness is being so severely attacked, and is so quickly being eroded away.

Father, we know that the Bible is Your Word of truth, and yet throughout the nations it is losing its authority and respect, and being replaced with secular humanism and an anti-God agenda. Father, we know that the Lord Jesus is coming soon to judge the nations with righteousness and truth, but we pray that as we wait for His any day return, that You would grant us Your knowledge and wisdom to know what to do and how to behave in a world that is spiralling out of control. We pray that Jesus will come soon. In His name we pray,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayers-seeking-knowledge-and-wisdom-1636

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