Becoming The Brother Everyone NeedsSýnishorn

A Brother and a Friend

Jesus demonstrates agape love to everyone, but He feels philia love for the children of God, those who obey His commands and share His goal of glorifying God. Those who follow Him must do the same.

Philia love is deep camaraderie and affection felt toward those who share the same desires, goals, and/or experiences.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we not only share the same Holy Spirit, but we also share the same desire and goal, God’s glory through the spread of the Gospel. Our individual and common pursuit of this goal leads us to experience similar things, as the way the world responds to us as individuals and as a group is very similar. Because of this, we understand, yearn with, ache with, and rejoice with one another on a spiritual level. It is only natural that we would feel affection for those with whom we share such a bond.

As the affection that you feel for your brothers and sisters in Christ is dependent upon your working toward the same desires and goals and having the same experiences, that affection can wane when you are not actively pursuing God’s call on your life. Such waning affection not only gives the devil room to stir dissention in God’s family, but causes those who are watching your behavior and considering how they will respond to the Gospel an excuse to dismiss God’s call on their lives, making it even more crucial that you follow Jesus actively. If you do not, you will not be the only one to suffer the consequences.

• When do you feel the closest to your brothers and sisters in Christ?
• Do you feel that way now?
  • If so, how does the camaraderie and friendship that you feel for them further the Gospel?
  • If not, what can you do to reestablish and strengthen those ties?

Read Philippians 1:8, 1 Peter 1:22, and 1 John 5:1-3.