Love Like Brothers

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.” Hebrews 13:1

My brother loves me. I’m not trying to brag or make those at odds with their siblings feel bad, but the truth is that I am blessed to have a brother who loves me. How do I know this is so? Because he shows me. He talks to me. He listens to me. He prays for me. He cares for me. If he has a concern, he shares it honestly. When I have a goal, he encourages it heartily. He is generous, funny, straightforward, and loyal. He has shown his love by standing up for me, protecting me, and being willing to die for me—literally.

Throughout our early years, we spent countless hours working together and playing together, and though now we live many miles apart, we make the effort to see each other often. In fact, if my brother won a trip for two (and his wife couldn’t go), he would take me or my sister. Actually, my brother would take us both and just pay for the extra one!

My brother is not perfect and I’m well aware of his faults, but I suggest that you don’t point them out, for while personal offenses are easily overlooked and forgiven, I will defend him ferociously. Blood is thicker than water, and when others in my life have walked away, my brother has been there to stay. I love my brother and don’t plan to stop.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers”(Heb. 13:1). God’s household in Hebrews had made loving as brothers a habit, and we should too. Though we all don’t have the same last name, the same saving blood runs through our veins and gives us God’s life. 134 times in the epistles Christians are referred to as “brothers,” so since we are family, and we need to love like one.

By loyal. Be generous. Be gracious. Don’t make perfection a prerequisite for affection, but be hard to offend, quick to forgive, and fast to defend. Hurt when others hurt. Help when they need help. Be the one they can call when no one else cares, and be there to stay when others walk away. “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers”(1 John 3:16).

Start—and don’t stop—loving each other as brothers.