October 12th, 2023
Love as Brethren
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
— 1 Peter 3:8
When Denise and I first got married, I got upset with her one day over something very silly. Such a small issue shouldn’t have upset me, but I was just beginning to learn how to be a husband, and Denise was learning to be a wife. As often happens when a couple first gets married, we got our wires crossed and misunderstanding resulted. And on this particular occasion, I allowed myself to get all worked up over nothing!
That day I sternly reprimanded Denise for what had transpired. Even though I knew I was raising my voice and speaking in a tone that wasn’t exactly kind, it was almost as if I had tapped into a volcano on the inside of me. I felt like I was about to explode. I knew that if I didn’t get a grip on myself, I would soon be saying overblown, angry words that I would later regret. It was suddenly clear to me that I was allowing the devil to blow this thing all out of proportion in my mind. So in order to get control of my emotions, I walked away and found a place where I could pray.
When I got alone with the Lord, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Would you speak with that tone of voice to any other woman at the church?”
I said, “No, I would never speak to any of the other women in the church the way I just spoke to my wife. Even if they did something very wrong and made me angry, I would treat them with courtesy simply because they are my sisters in Christ.”
The Holy Spirit answered, “Well, not only is Denise your wife, she is your sister in Christ. From this moment forward, even if you are upset with her, show her the same respect you would show any other sister.”
That word from the Holy Spirit changed my life. Denise was my sister in Christ before we got married, and the fact is, she is still my sister in Christ even though we are now joined together as husband and wife. If for no other reason, I should speak to her graciously and with dignity simply out of respect for her as my sister in the Lord. This shed new light for me on Peter’s words in First Peter 3:8, where he said that husbands and wives are to “love as brethren.”
The words “love as brethren” are from the Greek word philadelphia, a compound of the words philos and adelphos or adelphia. The word philos describes friendship and carries the idea of affection and a profound love for someone who is dear. The words adelphos and adelphia are the Greek words for a brother and a sister, respectively. When philos is compounded with one of these two words, the compound word means to love as a brother or to love as a sister.
It may seem strange to some that Peter tells husbands and wives to love as brethren. But the fact is, this is the most eternal part of the marriage relationship.
For instance, when Denise and I eventually go to Heaven, we will no longer be husband and wife, but we will be brother and sister in Christ. During our journey here on earth, we have partnered together as a marital team. I thank God that He joined me to Denise in this life in this particular relationship. But our long-term status and our most vital relationship is as a brother and sister in Christ. That aspect of our relationship will last throughout eternity.
So if you are ever tempted to get upset with your believing spouse, remember that he or she is first your brother or sister in the Lord. Then give your mate the same courtesy you would give any other brother or sister in the Christian community!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, please forgive me for the times I have spoken wrongly to my spouse. Help me to never take my spouse for granted again, but to always remember that if for no other reason, I should speak kindly to my mate out of respect for his (or her) position in Christ. I admit I’ve done wrong in the way I’ve spoken to my mate in the past. I know I wouldn’t speak that way to anyone else in the church. Please help me to love my spouse as one of my brethren in the Lord and to reverence the Holy Spirit who lives in him (or her).
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I confess that I treat my spouse as a brother (or sister) in Christ. I speak to my spouse with respect; I reverence the Spirit of God who lives inside him (or her); and I honor my mate as a part of the Body of Christ. As God works in me and transforms me day by day, I am becoming more controlled and more temperate in the way I relate to my spouse. I don’t fly off the handle with him (or her) and say things that are unacceptable to say to a brother or sister in Christ.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
.
. . . Source: Sparkling Gems From The Greek Vol. 1: 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word | Rick Renner
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
— 1 Peter 3:8
When Denise and I first got married, I got upset with her one day over something very silly. Such a small issue shouldn’t have upset me, but I was just beginning to learn how to be a husband, and Denise was learning to be a wife. As often happens when a couple first gets married, we got our wires crossed and misunderstanding resulted. And on this particular occasion, I allowed myself to get all worked up over nothing!
That day I sternly reprimanded Denise for what had transpired. Even though I knew I was raising my voice and speaking in a tone that wasn’t exactly kind, it was almost as if I had tapped into a volcano on the inside of me. I felt like I was about to explode. I knew that if I didn’t get a grip on myself, I would soon be saying overblown, angry words that I would later regret. It was suddenly clear to me that I was allowing the devil to blow this thing all out of proportion in my mind. So in order to get control of my emotions, I walked away and found a place where I could pray.
When I got alone with the Lord, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Would you speak with that tone of voice to any other woman at the church?”
I said, “No, I would never speak to any of the other women in the church the way I just spoke to my wife. Even if they did something very wrong and made me angry, I would treat them with courtesy simply because they are my sisters in Christ.”
The Holy Spirit answered, “Well, not only is Denise your wife, she is your sister in Christ. From this moment forward, even if you are upset with her, show her the same respect you would show any other sister.”
That word from the Holy Spirit changed my life. Denise was my sister in Christ before we got married, and the fact is, she is still my sister in Christ even though we are now joined together as husband and wife. If for no other reason, I should speak to her graciously and with dignity simply out of respect for her as my sister in the Lord. This shed new light for me on Peter’s words in First Peter 3:8, where he said that husbands and wives are to “love as brethren.”
The words “love as brethren” are from the Greek word philadelphia, a compound of the words philos and adelphos or adelphia. The word philos describes friendship and carries the idea of affection and a profound love for someone who is dear. The words adelphos and adelphia are the Greek words for a brother and a sister, respectively. When philos is compounded with one of these two words, the compound word means to love as a brother or to love as a sister.
It may seem strange to some that Peter tells husbands and wives to love as brethren. But the fact is, this is the most eternal part of the marriage relationship.
For instance, when Denise and I eventually go to Heaven, we will no longer be husband and wife, but we will be brother and sister in Christ. During our journey here on earth, we have partnered together as a marital team. I thank God that He joined me to Denise in this life in this particular relationship. But our long-term status and our most vital relationship is as a brother and sister in Christ. That aspect of our relationship will last throughout eternity.
So if you are ever tempted to get upset with your believing spouse, remember that he or she is first your brother or sister in the Lord. Then give your mate the same courtesy you would give any other brother or sister in the Christian community!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, please forgive me for the times I have spoken wrongly to my spouse. Help me to never take my spouse for granted again, but to always remember that if for no other reason, I should speak kindly to my mate out of respect for his (or her) position in Christ. I admit I’ve done wrong in the way I’ve spoken to my mate in the past. I know I wouldn’t speak that way to anyone else in the church. Please help me to love my spouse as one of my brethren in the Lord and to reverence the Holy Spirit who lives in him (or her).
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I confess that I treat my spouse as a brother (or sister) in Christ. I speak to my spouse with respect; I reverence the Spirit of God who lives inside him (or her); and I honor my mate as a part of the Body of Christ. As God works in me and transforms me day by day, I am becoming more controlled and more temperate in the way I relate to my spouse. I don’t fly off the handle with him (or her) and say things that are unacceptable to say to a brother or sister in Christ.
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
- Can you honestly say that you treat your spouse with the same respect you show to other brothers or sisters in your local church?
- Would you ever allow yourself to fly off the handle and indulge in an outburst of anger with brothers and sisters at church as you do with your spouse?
- If you have treated your spouse with less respect than you show toward other people, don’t you think it’s time for you to first repent before God and then to ask your spouse for forgiveness and ask him (or her) to pray with you about this problem?
.
. . . Source: Sparkling Gems From The Greek Vol. 1: 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word | Rick Renner
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit!Dealing With Wrong Attitudes The Right WayHow To Remedy Spiritual Boredom in Your Life!It’s Time for You To Act Fast!Have You Said ‘Thank You’ Today?Learning To ‘Follow the Leader’When Your Attitude Stinks So Badly That It Affects Everyone Around You!A Unique Receptacle Specially Made for the Power of God!Where Should You Go When You Get Discouraged?Preparing the Troops For Battle!It’s Time To Get Creative In ‘Doing the Word’Have You Paid Attention To Yourself Lately?What Should You Do When Your Plans Seem Hindered?The Dead-End Places Of LifeComrades In the Lord Jesus ChristNever Forget That You Are More Than a Conqueror!A Spirit of Wisdom And Revelation for YouA Time To Forcefully Speak the Truth in LoveHow To Be A Spiritual BillionaireYou Are Never Alone!Staying Untangled From the WorldA Fight Always Follows IlluminationIs It Time To Make a Change In Your Environment?You’re Not a Spiritual Orphan!Royal Ambassadors For ChristIs It Ever Right To Hate Something?Unshackled From The Tyranny and Cruelty of Sin!
February
Does God’s Word Feel at Home in Your Life?The Greatest Price Ever Paid To Set a Slave Free!Do Whatever Is Necessary To Keep Envy and Strife Out of Your Life!Don’t Ignore the Last Words!A Divine Stream Of Supernatural RevelationWhat Does It Mean To Have a ‘Sound Mind’?It’s Time for You To Start Acting Like God!It’s Time for You To Stop Acting Like You’re a Victim!The Holy Spirit Wants To Place A Razor-Sharp Sword in Your HandsIf You’re Feeling Unwanted, Abandoned, Or Rejected, It’s Time To Rejoice!God Will Make Sure You Get Rewarded For Your Work of FaithSet the Spiritual Hostages Free!He’s Still the Lord Of the Wind and the Waves!‘X’ Marks the Spot!The Holy Spirit Earnestly Yearns for You!Be a ‘Holy Terror’ To the Kingdom of Darkness!Don’t Put Out The Spirit’s Fire!A Great Cloud of WitnessesGod Uses the Weak To Baffle Those Who Think They Are So High and MightyDiligence Is Required For Success in GodHow Do You Make A Dead Man See?Effective Spiritual Weapons Require Effective Spiritual StrategiesYou Have a Two-Edged Sword!The Holy Spirit — A Partner Who Wants To Take Responsibility For You in This Life!It’s Time for You To Lay Aside Every Unnecessary WeightYou Are a Shrine For the Holy SpiritTake Advantage Of All Kinds of PrayerA Picture of Who You Used To Be!Your Redemption Is a Done Deal!
March
God’s Power Is Yours For the Taking!Stopping Satan At His Own Game‘Filthy Stinking Rich!’Laziness and Slothfulness— Don’t Allow Either in Your Life!Does Jesus Find You To Be Therapeutic, Refreshing, or Disgusting?It’s Time for You To Start Acting Like God!A Guaranteed Way To Infuriate the Holy Spirit!Relax From the Stresses of Life!‘Perilous Times’ In the Last DaysHang In There And Don’t Give Up!Why Not Bring Others Into the Project?You Are One Of God’s Pillars!Who Said You Had To Deserve What God Gives You?Payday Is on the Way!Are You Wearing Your Killer Shoes?Whose Faith Are You Following?Stick Your Neck Out — Commit Yourself to Someone!Don’t Be A ‘Bone out of Joint’!The Necessary Attitude for SuccessRefuse To Ever Let Go Of Your Dream!Doing Things Decently and in OrderHow Is Your Memory Working?Do You Have the Right To Demand Anything From God?The Most Essential Weapon In Your Spiritual ArsenalKeep the Devil Where He Belongs — Under Your Feet!The Lord Will Reckon With You When He Comes!Run Like You Are In the Race of Your Life!Are You an ‘Amateur’ Or a ‘Professional’?The Supernatural Intercessory Ministry Of the Holy SpiritDon’t Get in a Hurry!Jesus’ Last Lesson For the Disciples
April
How the Devil Turned A Friend Into a Betrayer!Have You Ever Felt ‘Agony’ Over Situations You Have Faced in Life?Supernatural Assistance When You Don’t Know Where To Turn for Help!The Right Way To Die!How Many Soldiers Does It Take To Arrest One Man?A Full Moon, Lanterns, Torches, and Weapons!The Judas KissHave Disagreements Revealed Your Level of Submission to Authority?When Roman Soldiers Were Knocked Flat by the Power of God!Peter Swings for the Head — But Gets an Ear!Jesus Cleans Up Peter’s Mess!Twelve Legions of AngelsWho Was the Naked Boy In the Garden of Gethsemane?
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments