2 Peter 1:7

2 Peter 1:7 ‘and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.'

‘brotherly kindness' -‘brotherly affection' (Rhm); ‘a spirit of brotherhood' (Gspd). The Greek word here is Philadephia. (See Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:21).

Points to Note:

‘there is. kind of religious devotion which separates. man from his fellow-men. The claims of his fellow-men become an intrusion on his prayers, his study of God's word…Epictetus, the great Stoic philosopher, never married. Half-jestingly said that he was doing far more for the world by being an unfettered philosopher than if he had produced “two or three dirty-nosed children”…What Peter is saying is that there is something wrong with the religion which at any time finds the claims and the demands of personal relationships. nuisance and an interruption.' (Barclay p. 360) 2. ‘Peter really does mean that Christians should have. quality of relationships which is demonstrably different and satisfying, demanding. high and new loyalty' (Lucas/Green p. 60) 3. Spiritual growth and maturity is not to make us more distant from our brethren. The more that we love God the more we should be loving our brethren (1 John 4:21). The closer we are being drawn to God, the closer we should be with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

‘love' -Love for God (Matthew 22:37), and active goodwill towards others, even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). The goal of our instruction is love from. pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5). ‘the deliberate desire for the highest good of the one loved, which shows itself in sacrificial action for that person's good' (Green p. 71) Someone has described this quality as treating others in the way that God has treated you.

Points to Note:

Again, we see. huge contrast between real Christianity and what was being spread by the false teachers. On the one hand we find unselfishness, sacrifice, and always doing what is in the best spiritual interest of another. On the other hand, we find self-interest and exploitation of others (2 Peter 2:3). 2. True love is. matter of choice (1 Corinthians 13:4). It is undefeatable goodwill. 3. It expresses itself in obedience to the commands of God (John 14:15; John 14:21; John 14:23; John 15:10; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6). 4. Is always prepared to sacrifice itself for others (John 13:34). 5. It is expressed towards all men, even the most unlovable (Matthew 5:44; Romans 13:10). 6. It is far from being. weak or sentimental thing. ‘Love in the New Testament sense of the term never makes the mistake of thinking that to let. person do as he likes is to love him. The N.T. is clear that there are times when anger, discipline, rebuke, punishment and chastening are parts of love.' (Flesh and Spirit. Barclay p. 75) (2 Corinthians 2:4) 7. The reader needs to be impressed that ‘love' is not something that just happens. So often people will say, ‘I am such. loving person'. Usually, what they are saying is that they are. person who thrives on emotion. This love must be sought after and pursued (1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Timothy 6:11). Certain aspects of this love are tough (1 Corinthians 13:4).

None of the above qualities can stand alone. Without knowledge, faith will degenerate into superstition, knowledge without the motive of love, produces arrogance and self-righteousness. Patience without godliness leads to bitterness. Self-control which is devoid of virtue, is. humanist brand of self-control.

Also note that all these qualities are to exist together in the Christian life. The Christian is to be working on all of them at the same time.

Barren And Fruitful Christians: