Brotherly Affection: the general attitude of our hearts: do not be overwhelmed
John 3:16-21 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but (each would) have eternal life…
An affection, an affinity for; a friendly demeanor, a general sense of kindness and benevolence (generosity) toward - all, the whole body - all those with whom I fellowship and worship - leading to a cheerful welcoming and accepting that brings a sense of joy and belonging to all who enter. (2Pe 1; John 13)
Doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, I come with a willingness to serve as opportunities arise - being available, alert, and aware, to provide an act of kindness to everyone you encounter, anyone who has a need in the moment - direction, help, a smile, a moment of friendly caring. (Lev 19; 23; Ruth 2)
Taking me from my own interests to (also) the interests of others, we develop an affection for those around me and the willingness, and eagerness, to serve, born out of this growing sincere affection for those with whom you share this common space deepening our affection and moving us to love - each person we serve. (Phil 2)
Deepening affection leads to wanting to serve the body even more profoundly - intentionally, finding a space, a place to share me and my gifts with others, to serve the body with our gifts and talents - to bless and edify those around us to build all up, everyone, as each does its part. (Ro 12; 1Co 12)
All of this leads to expressing our part of the body, displaying a mutual concern for all parts, to everyone, as each has need, further expressing our mutual connection to the head - Jesus - because we are following His lead - dignifying all, everyone, by the touching of each. (Eph 4)
And as we edify others and help them grow we are being affirmed as to our own part in the body and confirming for them, theirs, and we do this, as we express our affection to others, showing the extent of our sincerest loving affection in being generous with our care and service. (Jo 13; Ro 12; 2Cor 9)
This all reminds us of why we are where we are, who we are as a part, and why we are here - for our own encouragement and to encourage those with and for whom we are connected - and with each act of kindness, sharing of affection, we are increasing all of our confidence and assurance and producing in us and among us a spiritual zeal that carries us through these times. (Ro 8;21; Jo 17)
To have and share such affection, to serve the body, is to love Jesus, expressing that love by obeying His loving and life-giving commands, by participating in the building up of the body - all who are a part, everyone, each, loving one another - as Jesus has loved us. (Jo 12-17; 1Jo 3; 4)
1John 4:19-20 19We love because he first loved us. 20Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Sometimes we wonder how my presence can make any difference, how one small moment’s gesture, by one small part, can have an impact, how one tiny prayer can carry any power… I am sure that is how the disciples must have felt. And the boy, what was he thinking, but, here he was, offering what he had, such a small thing in the presence of this large crowd. This story is the story of God’s economy, not just the way it works, but what is intended by it - that His glory would be seen and that each of everyone, all of us, would sense our part - our belonging - our contribution to the lives of those with whom we share this eternal bond. The truth that this God works through the smallest things to accomplish His most profound works - we are His choosing to accomplish His chosen purpose - and this by His wonderful grace! (Deut 7:7; 1Co 12:12-26)
John 6:1-14; Mark 6:30-44 - “I have compassion for these people” feelings for from the “seat of affections and love”. Going from all, to everyone, to each… the feeding of the 5,000 - all these people, we don’t have enough food to feed everyone, even if each only had…, …in God’s economy, each one had more than enough, as everyone ate to the full, and all were fed…, …as this one boy, gave everything he had, that everyone would be fed, as all would eat.
And as all ate, every one being fed, each one was satisfied, taken care of, taken into consideration, because in the mass of all these people, every one of them counts, because each one mattered, and matters - to Jesus. Having a mutual brotherly-affection for the “one anothers” is to imitate – Jesus (John 13)
