The Beauty of Brotherly Kindness: Cultivating True Christian Kindness
As we wrap up National Kindness Week, let’s look closely at the unique qualities and the practical truths of “brotherly kindness,” the sixth virtue on Peter’s list in 2 Peter chapter one.
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; and to brotherly kindness charity. – 2 Peter 1:5-7
In his letter, Peter emphasizes that as Christians, our faith should transform not just our beliefs but also our relationships.
The gospel of Jesus Christ means nothing if it doesn’t affect our relationships
Kindness, or “brotherly affection” (from the Greek word “philadelphia”), goes beyond surface-level courtesy. It’s a sincere, selfless love that makes the family of God distinctly different from the world.
Christian Kindness vs. Secular Virtue
The Greek culture of Peter’s day celebrated virtues, but Christian kindness goes beyond secular virtue. It doesn’t stop at personal improvement, but it transforms how we treat one another.
When we cultivate godliness (God-like-ness), love and kindness grow in our hearts and overflow to others. Psalm 133:1 celebrates how “good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity,” a rare but beautiful sight.
This unity reflects our common faith, one Lord, one baptism—a bond that ties believers across all backgrounds. Sincere and visible unity of the brethren ought to be the desire of our hearts.
Seeing the Family of God through His Eyes
In 1 John 5:1, we are reminded that “everyone who loves God loves those who are born of God.” God sees each of His children as complete and perfected in Christ, like He saw Gideon as a “mighty man of valor”—not as he was but as he would be.
It is an attribute of our great covenant God that He always sees His children as perfect, glorified, and complete in Christ.
When we adopt God’s view, we focus on what unites us: the same salvation, the same grace. Differences fade, and our hearts align with the second greatest commandment—”love your neighbor as yourself.”
Do you see the children of God all washed in the blood of the same Lamb, freely forgiven by the same Savior, and destined for the same Heaven? Be careful what you focus on.
The Spirit of Humility and Service
True kindness springs from humility. Paul teaches in Philippians 2 and Colossians 3 that we are to serve one another with compassion and humility, just as Christ did when He washed His disciples’ feet.
Humility is the key and the foundation for the acts of kindness towards others.
Humility doesn’t come naturally; it requires God’s Spirit working in us, shaping our desires to love all God’s children genuinely. Romans 12 and Philippians 2 remind us that Godly kindness is not only about what we do, but the spirit with which we do it.
It’s not in our nature to live in a self-denying way. We must be taught of God. Are you willing to be made willing to love all of God’s children?
Guarding Our Words
No act of kindness can be complete without bridling the tongue. James 3 warns us about the power of words, likening the tongue to a fire that can cause great harm. In contrast, Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Unkind words can destroy relationships, wound the Body of Christ, and undermine our witness.
As Jim Berg poignantly said,
“Marriages go up in smoke because of unrestrained tongues; children and students are demoralized and embittered because of a parent or a teacher’s unrestrained tongue; roommates are hurt and wounded; parents and teachers are saddened and discouraged because of a child’s or student’s unrestrained tongue. The fire of the tongue kindles an enormous forest fire of destruction.”
An Authentic Love
In 1 Peter 4:8, we are called to “fervent charity” for one another. This isn’t a fleeting feeling but a love that stretches and endures enthusiastically.
The sincerity of our love is a powerful witness to the world.
As Jesus taught, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). God has given the unsaved world around us the right to judge the sincerity of our Christian profession based on if they can observe a sincere love among us.
Christian, let’s strive to show a discernible love—a love that speaks more about our faith than any words alone.
A Call to Live Differently
Kindness may come last on Peter’s list of virtues, but it’s no less important. It takes spiritual maturity and God’s grace
- to love with humility
- to serve without grumbling, and
- to guard our words
Let’s embody a kindness that truly sets us apart as those who belong to Christ and have been bought by the blood of the One who gave Himself for us.
This week, ask God for the grace to live out a brotherly kindness that reflects the love of Christ—authentic, humble, and ever growing.
thoughts taken from “The Beauty of Brotherly Kindness” from Pastor Bob Vradenburgh on January 18, 2009.