“Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”- 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)
Dr. Wayne Stiles concludes Chapter 9 of Waiting on God by explaining that Peter uses two different terms for love in verse 22. Sincere brotherly love, Wayne states, refers to a “friendly affection based entirely on feeling pleasure from someone’s presence.” Furthermore, sincere brotherly love gives legitimate happiness. This type of love offers no resistance.
However, because feeling from the foundation of this love, it may evaporate quickly. In contrast, love from the heart comes not from our feelings about another person, but from that person’s genuine value. In addition, Dr. Stiles provides two more contrasts between the two terms for the word love.
Sincere brotherly love
- begins and ends with our emotions
- receives strength from love from the heart
Love from the heart
- begins and ends with our will
- gives even when it gets nothing in return
We show love when we don’t feel like it by reaching out in love without expecting any love in return. Consequently, the expectation or goal of our love must remain the glory of God.
While other people in our lives may never opt to change, we cannot allow such obstinacy to change us. Mary DeMuth (The Wall Around Your Heart: How Jesus Heals You When Others Hurt You) describes how to completely release from bitterness and obligation anyone who has hurt us:
“Everything that hurts us on earth has the potential, when we let God put His hands in the conflict, to bless the world. In short, we hurt and God heals, which makes us an agent of healing.”
Today’s question: How have you demonstrated obedience to the truth during your desert, transition time? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The black hole of hopelessness”
