BROTHERLY AFFECTION

“How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers all together! It is like a fine oil on the bread, running down the beard, running down Aaron’s beard, onto the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the heights of Zion; for there the Lord bestows his blessing, everlasting life” {Ps.133} 

When last did you experience that genuine smile from a brother/sister/mother/father/wife/husband/son/daughter/family relation?

In the physical realm, there is nothing in the world that can genuinely provide you this type of affection, warmth and company; once any of them is gone, his/her place in our hearts cannot be substituted anymore hence we need to do our best to take care of them in a Godly manner {‘seek peace with all people and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a large number. And be careful that there is no immoral person or anyone worldly minded like Esau, who sold his birthright for one single meal. As you know when he wanted to obtain the blessing afterwards, he was rejected and though he pleaded for it with tears, he could find no way of reversing the decision’ Heb.12:14-17}.

Behind every disunity in a family is always found this hidden/unnoticed/subtle/deceptive object ‘Pride’ which provides one with a thousand and one reasons both scriptural and otherwise why the other party in the family should not be forgiven whether the offender or the defender. Be it as it may, no matter how rich/spiritual/beautiful/talented/handsome/successful e.t.c you are, the brother of a mad-man is a mad-mans’ brother, the son of a prostitute is a prostitutes’ son hence ones inability to integrate his/her spiritual/temporal gifts from the nuclear family leaves the most important unattended to while pursuing shadows (‘what are your endless sacrifices to me? Says the Lord. I am sick of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of calves. I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come and present yourselves before me, who has asked you to trample through my courts…when you stretch out your hands I turn my eyes away. You may multiply your prayers, I shall not be listening. Your hands are covered in blood’ Isaiah 1:11-15). The apostles of Jesus were instructed to proclaim the gospel not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Sameria and indeed to earth’s remotest end {Acts.1:8} hence there country home should be a starting point for the mission then to other parts of the world.

For one to uproot pride from within, the fear of God as one of the seven spirit [Rev.4:5] of God dwelling in man must be activated fully without sentiments or bias (“my brothers, do not let class distinction enter into your faith in Jesus Christ, our glorified Lord” James 2:1, ‘do not be ashamed to correct a stupid person or a fool, or an old dotard who bickers with young people. Then you will show yourself really educated and win the approval of everyone’ Sirach 42:8) thus ‘In fear be submissive to the Lord; with trembling kiss his feet, lest he be angry and your way come to nothing, for his fury flares up in a moment. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!’ [Ps.2:11-12]. The fear of God in a man brings about the reverence and respect for every living creature {man} as an image of God [Gen.1:26-27] whether poor/rich/graceful/habitual-sinner e.t.c who has a soul that needs to be forgiven and saved (‘I take no pleasure in the death of anyone – declares the Lord God – so repent and live!’ Ezek.18:32). The  fear of God also helps us to know that whatever we do against another will be used to attend to us {“do not judge and you will not be judged; because the judgments you give are the judgments you will get and the standard you use will be the standard used for you” Mtt.7:1-2} hence openness to humility (“how blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs” Mtt.5:4), love {‘above all preserve an intense love for each other, since love covers over many a sin’ 1 Pet.4:8} and forgiveness [“any bitterness or bad temper or anger or shouting or abuse must be far removed from you – as must every kind of malice. Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ” Eph.4:31-32] towards our family relations is a strong foundation for Heavenly honor [‘…those who honor me I honor in my turn and those who despise me will be an object of contempt’ 1 Sam.2:30] and a better relationship with other members of the society (“you love uprightness and detest evil. This is why God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness as none of your rivals” Heb.1:9).

Let us therefore use calmness (‘Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing’ 1 Pet.5:8-9) of the soul to observe our families in order to uproot the canker pride whether you are the offender or defender learn to say “I am sorry” it will not change your status/position/carrier/intelligence/spirituality to something lower, be mindful of your thoughts {‘More than else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life’ Prov.4:23} and watch what you say as well as the type of advice you proffer in trying situations hence “guard your tongue from evil, your lips from any breath of deceit. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it” [Ps.34:13-14].

This can be achieved via

Sending goodwill text messages at the beginning of the months to all concerned or the most important i.e those with whom there has been a big vacuum in communication.

Making calls to such people if your financial status permits.

 Above all beyond what is seen with the physical-eyes, continuous remembrance of all concerned in prayers {‘I urge then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving should be offered for everyone’ 1 Tim.2:1, “for my part, far be it from me to sin against God by ceasing to pray for you or to instruct you in the good and right way” 1 Sam.12:23}