Category: Scripture Journaling

“And now abideth  faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

We will find that the word “love” is mentioned in the Bible in some form around 373 times.  Upon closer study, one can find that the Greek language has three notable words for love in the Bible: Philo (brotherly love), Eros (physical love in marriage), and Agape (unconditional love of God).  Charity is the Agape love of God.  It is a love that is comprehensive and pure. 

True Agape love is missing in most relationships at work, at school, and at home.  Most homes know nothing about the true agape love rather their lives are filled with pride and selfishness.  The way to grow in our faith and our maturity is to love as Christ loved and be humble.  Humility is not disliking one’s self but rather thinking less of one’s self.

Charity in 1 Corinthians 13 is a special kind of love.  Agape love is the highest form of love.  This type of love can only come from the Lord.

Brotherly Kindness

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness;…”  2 Peter 1:5-7a

The Greek word for brotherly love is philadelphia which is a combination of two words “philia” (love) and “adelphos” (brother).  It means to have kindness or love towards your brother.  Romans 12:10 admonishes us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love”.  Affectioned is to cherish one’s kindred. 

The way to develop brotherly kindness towards others is to spend time with other believers.  This is not just socializing with them before and after services.  This is putting into practice the commands found in scripture which tell us to not “forsake the assembly of ourselves together,…but exhorting one another…” (Hebrews 10:24).  When we spend time in fellowship with other believers we not only build relationships, but we also exhort (encourage) and spur (provide the needed prodding) to seek the Lord.

Notice that in order to obtain brotherly kindness in our lives we must first have faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness?  Once we become a part of God’s family we do not automatically have brotherly kindness towards others.  Kindness is an important ingredient in dealing with relationships “especially unto them that are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:10.  If we are to grow in our walk with the Lord, we must work on developing brotherly kindness, which is having true love of the brethren (1 Peter 1:22).

How does one attempt to live a godly life when you live in a wicked sinful world?  Where there seems to be evil doings everywhere you turn…people have replaced God with whatever suits their fancy; God’s name is taken in vain even by those who call themselves Christian; Sunday services are no longer important; children disrespect and even hate their parents; killings everywhere; selfish pleasures come before serving others; there is lack of respect for other and their belongings; dishonesty is viewed as okay as long as it is for the greater good; immorality is praised everywhere we go; and you better keep up with the Jones in order to be happy.  This is not godliness.

Webster’s Dictionary defines godliness as “believing in God and in the importance of living a moral life”.   Godliness in the Bible is basically an active obedience that springs from a reverent awe of God.

It is virtually impossible to build a godly life without a foundation built on Jesus Christ.  To practice godliness, we must first develop a relationship with God, and further practice a life that is pleasing to God.  Our view of God and our relationship with Him will be portrayed in our behavior.

2 Peter 1:5-6b “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;”

Webster dictionary defines patience as ” the capacity, habit or fact of being patient. Patient defined is “being able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people.

I don’t know about you but since my lightning strike my patience isn’t what it used to be. I am more easily annoyed or frustrated because of my limitations or lack of understanding why things are or aren’t working the way I think they should be. I am pressing towards the mark…

Patience is the ability to walk through a trial, test, or tribulation without getting stressed, anxious, or impatient. That is a difficult trait to learn. Mostly because our physical nature wants everything now. But being impatient will cause us to hinder the work of the Lord or a delay in our blessings.

Patience is the result of our practicing the presence of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). It is perfected when God allows difficulties and trials to remove the rough edges in our lives so that He can mold us into the person He wants us to be.

We need to learn to trust the Lord in all circumstances regardless of the outcome.

2 Peter 1:5-6a ~ “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance…”

Webster defines temperance as “the practice of always controlling your actions, thoughts, or feelings so that you do not eat or drink too much, become too angry, etc.” OR “Moderation in action, thought, or feeling.”

It is not self-control. It is Spirit control. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to maintain control over all areas of our lives.

2 Peter 1:5 – And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;…”

2 Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith…”