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The Responsibility of Church Relationship
by H. Frank Fort

Lesson Four

Brotherly Kindness

Today we shall consider another characteristic of the inter-relations of "the Body of Christ" which is essential to keeping the commandment to "let brotherly kindness continue." (Heb. 13:1)

We have learned that "brotherly love" originated in the new birth through which the "brotherhood" was established. (I Thess. 4:9) The order of proof being:

1) Gal. 4:6,

2) Gal. 3:26,

3) Gal. 3:2,

4) Rom. 5:5.

This is true of every child of God. "If a man say I love God and hateth his brother, he is a liar." (I John 4:20)

1) Now while love is resident in the heart of every member of "the brotherhood" (I Peter 2:17) the very fact that such are commanded to "love the brotherhood" proves that it must be evidenced to be of "profit." (Titus 3:8) Love in the heart is of no more practical value to the brotherhood unless it "constrains" (II Cor. 5:14) to acts of edification, than faith without works. (James 2:17) Both are barren. "Faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6) expresses "the will of God" through us in whom He works "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)

2) In our last lesson we considered the expression "brotherly love" as to its characteristics. We considered also the commandment "Let brotherly love continue." (Heb. 13:1) Today we shall consider the things necessary to the obeying of this commandment.

John tells us "love is of God." (I John 4:7) Paul wrote "faith...worketh by love." (Gal. 5:6) Now notice how these two elements faith and love stand related in doing "good unto...the household of faith." (Gal. 6:10)

1) FAITH. "If a bother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; What doth if profit?" (James 2:16) The remedy is "I will shew them my faith by my works," (James 2:18) and such is "good and profitable to men." (Titus 3:8)

2) LOVE. "Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?." (I John 3:17) Does this mean that we are to share what we have with others, so that all will have the same thing? It does not. It teaches that we are to "labor...that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Eph. 4:28) Not where the need arose because the needy "would not work," (II Thess. 3:10) but where brethren are destitute of "food and raiment" (I Tim. 6:8), die to causes over which they have no control. No church can escape its duty before God. In a church where faith...worketh by love," any brother or sister who is "naked and destitute of daily food" due to no fault of their own, will be clothed and fed. The church, however, is not to be charged with the duty of providing for the destitute where the relatives are believers and able to do it. Consider I Tim. 5:8,9,16. The helplessly destitute within the brotherhood, who have no believing loved ones to relieve their destitution, are not to be made to feel as though they were objects of charity, but rather to be made to praise God whose love and kindness are being expressed toward them through the brotherhood which is obeying the commandment to "Let brotherly love continue." (Heb. 13:1)

Now we have shown that "brotherly love" originated in the new birth, but it's continuance depends on something else called "brotherly kindness." (II Pet. 1:7) Paul tells us "charity (l-o-v-e)...is kind;" (I Cor. 13:4) therefore when Christians are commanded to "be ye kind one to another" (Eph. 4:32) it is expected as a characteristic of love, because "love...is kind." What then of a home where not only the natural certainly ought to be, but it is professed that Christ is Savior, also, and that His love is there, and yet instead of kindness, there is quarrelling, bitterness and fighting over trivial things. Love is not continuing there, much less "brotherly love." Love permitted to speak it's language will put away "all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and clamor and evil speaking,...with all malice." (Eph. 4:31) "Love ...is kind." God said it; that makes it so.

Kindness is one of the most needed practices in this day of tension. "Brotherly kindness" is the kindness I want from brethren who understand my problems in the spiritual warfare which they alone can understand, but if I want it, let me by the grace of God give it, for it is written, "a man that hath friends must shew himself friendly;" (Prov. 18:24) "the desire of a man is his kindness." (Prov. 19:22) Paul wrote, "put on kindness." (Col. 3:12) This is required of those said to be "elect of God, holy and beloved." (Col. 3:12)

Wear it like a cloak. Let kindness invite the friendless and speak a word to cheer. God help us to "add...brotherly kindness" to our repertoire of moral virtues for it is a door that opens to opportunity and greets in the spirit of Christ him whom God has brought for encouragement. Kindness, which the toil of the day and the stress of duty and the tension of conflict causes to retreat, may be kept in the forefront if we will not try to bear these burdens alone. Kindness engenders kindness. "A soft answer turneth away wrath." (Prov. 15:1)

Brotherly kindness is not something that comes naturally. It is in the process of Christian additives essential to "an entrance...abundantly into the everlasting kingdom." (II Pet. 1:11) Peter said "giving all diligence add to your faith...brotherly kindness." (II Pet. 1:4,7) Standing between faith and brotherly kindness is the progress required. We have "virtue (or manliness) ...knowledge ...temperance ...patience ...godliness."

One gets a picture of the strength of character essential to maintaining brotherly kindness with all of its implications, when he considers the meaning of the words which precede it. Notice, manliness or valor, understanding the will of God and exercising self control while cheerfully enduring in the spirit of piety, will add brotherly kindness, which is the culminating step to love.

One may grow a gourd in 90 days, but it takes years to produce an acorn bearing oak. One may come forth with the appearance of spiritual maturity over night, but the character which is constant in support of the fruit which the spirit bears is a matter of growth, from the new birth to the grave. Peter said, "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Pet. 3:18) Steadfastness depends on it. Here is the order of truth which supports brotherly kindness and lets brotherly love continue:

"As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith...abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Col. 2:6-7)

The expressions "brotherly love" and "brotherly kindness" are related to the "brotherhood" about which the world knows nothing. The world produces its philanthropists and its kindly souls, but its products wouldn't contribute a dime to the cause that gives all the glory to God, nor acts kindly toward those who push the battle of truth. The difference is determined by relationship. God produces His philanthropists and enjoins kindness through a workmanship which is designed to bear fruit that will never spoil, to glorify God who never changes, and profit men in a sense which the world doesn't understand.

"Be ye kind one to another." Why? Because "the exceeding riches of his grace" has been shown us "in his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ." (Eph. 2:7) This kindness is related to God's love in its offer to men. Paul wrote, "the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared." (Titus 3:4) Shall we not show kindness and love to them who like ourselves, have received such from "the giver of every good and perfect gift"?

Love and kindness shown to them of the brotherhood is simply acting out those inwrought principles which we have not by nature, but by grace through faith. Let us add to faith those things which indicate gratitude to God, growth in grace, and "be kindly affectioned" to those of the brotherhood, and let the world see and fear and turn to the Lord who alone can produce such fruit in humanity.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"