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Seven Steps:
Step Seven: Brotherly Kindness Needs Love
This is the last strategic step that Peter gave us. Once more, please
note that he was not talking about just any kind of love. Rather,
he was talking about a love that depends on the six steps that precede
it. It is the kind of love the Bible calls for. It is the kind of
love that Christ asked of His disciples when He said, “A new commandment
I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that
you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-35).
Christ raised the standard of love above the level of brotherly kindness.
No longer can we think of love as just caring for those who care for
us. Christ loved not only His friends and brothers but also His enemies.
He sacrificed His own well being to go to the rescue of those who
were hostile to Him (Rom. 5:8). That’s why He could say:
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And
from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your
goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you,
you also do to them likewise.
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to
those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners
do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive
back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners
to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and
you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful
and evil (Lk. 6:27-35).
It is also important for us to realize that this last step is not
on the level of an extra credit assignment for the person who has
already earned his “A” for the course. Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians
13:1-2 that no matter how many good qualities we may have, if we do
not have love the total is still zero. A mathematical formula of these
verses might look like this:
(Eloquence of the highest kind) + (knowledge of all mysteries)
+ (enough faith to move mountains) + (selling all you have to give
to the poor) + (giving your life as a martyr) – LOVE = no personal
profit (13:1-2).
Noble Christian deeds have value to the individual only when love
is added.
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©1986, 2000 RBC
Ministries Grand Rapids, MI 49555 Printed in USA
Used with permission.
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