Love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NIV
My brother Brian is 27 months younger than I. Naturally, being the firstborn child, I “supervised” him during our childhood. When we played “school,” I was the teacher. When we rode bikes, I led. When he was naughty, I threatened to tell Mom. (Until he kept inventory of my misbehaviors—then we negotiated!)
We were not allowed to hit, pinch, slap, kick, or otherwise fight. During the inevitable spats, we kept quiet, because when Mom found out, that was trouble. Our verbal disagreements might last all of three minutes and then be forgotten, but if Mom got into it, we’d be sometimes spanked and always lectured for 30-60 minutes on why we should love each other. (Brian would maneuver a place where he could roll his eyes or make faces, while I, the dutiful if unrepentant daughter, had to maintain composure in hope of shortening the sermon.) Decades later, I remember the gist of the lectures: if all others forsake you, or if “anything happens” to your parents, your sibling is your best friend. You share more DNA with your sibling than with your parents.
After college and two years on my own, Brian and I shared a home for seven years. We learned to really like and love each other and enjoy our own company. We shared values, had the same taste in decorating, people, and food, and trusted each other with our deepest thoughts. Love has carried us through when other relationships have faltered or failed. (Hey, Mom was right!)
The brash, choleric fisherman-turned-shepherd, the apostle Peter, learned about loyal, abiding love from Jesus, who told His disciples that He had elevated their status to friends and brothers. Peter wrote: Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NIV
It’s a great blessing to love your siblings—and your brothers and sisters in the faith. It won’t just happen by proximity. You have to make it happen. But Abba Father is eager to reconcile and create bonds between His children. Ask Him now!
