Embark on a journey through “Mortality and Divinity,” where each step uncovers the transformative power of Christian Virtues, beyond mere ideals, into the essence of a life shaped by Jesus’ love and grace. Delve into faith, hope, love, and more as we explore living as accurate reflections of God’s image. These virtues are concepts and invitations to deepen our relationship with our Creator and those around us. Together, let’s discover how these virtues weave into the fabric of our lives, guiding us to shape our communities and the world with the love of Christ.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3–11, ESV)
In our exploration of Christian development and life, we’ve been delving into the virtues that weave through our faith, enriching it and enabling us to more fully reflect the character of Jesus in our daily interactions. Among these virtues, we’ve pondered moral courage, deepened our knowledge, embraced self-control, cultivated patience, and pursued godliness. Now, we turn our attention to the warmth of brotherly kindness, a virtue that complements faith and is essential to the fabric of the Christian community.
Brotherly kindness, or ‘Philadelphia, φιλαδελφία,’ paints a picture of love woven from the threads of shared humanity and divine affection. This term combines ‘adelphos, αδελφος’ (meaning brother, rooted in the shared experience of life from the same womb) and ‘philos, φιλος’ (indicating affectionate, friendly love). This love emphasizes warmth and closeness among believers, a spiritual family united under the fatherhood of God, where we are called to cherish one another as brethren (1 Peter 3:8).
The scripture is rich with narratives that illuminate brotherly kindness in action. From Joseph’s request for kindness in Genesis 40:14, Rahab’s protective care for the spies in Joshua 2:12, to David’s compassionate acts towards Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:1-7, and the kindness of the islanders towards Paul in Acts 28:2, the Bible showcases how acts of kindness can bridge gaps, heal wounds, and build community.
Jesus and the New Testament writers expand on this theme, calling us to a kindness that transcends boundaries, urging us to love not just those who are easy to love but also those who challenge us (Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:10). This radical kindness is exemplified in simple, yet profound acts: greeting one another warmly (Romans 16:16), respecting each other’s time, speaking with kindness (Proverbs 31:26; Ephesians 4:29), showing empathy and compassion (Psalm 145:8; Matthew 14:14), and extending forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
Despite scripture’s clear call to kindness, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives, forgetting that the kindness we show not only blesses others but also nurtures our own spirit and mirrors God’s nature to the world. It’s a poignant reminder that every act of kindness, no matter how seemingly small, weaves God’s love into the fabric of humanity.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be practitioners of kindness, embodying it as a fundamental aspect of our faith. This call to action is grounded in the teachings and examples found throughout scripture, inviting us to make kindness a hallmark of our interactions with others. By doing so, we live out the truth that kindness is the oil that eases life’s frictions and the language of love that speaks to every heart, guiding others to the love of Christ. Therefore, with intention and grace, let us cultivate a spirit of brotherly kindness, making it an indelible mark of our faith and a beacon of hope in a world in desperate need of God’s love.
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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