Reflection:
Loving our Christian sisters and brothers is part of the inheritance we receive when we are born of God. But because of the truth that all people sin, including me, loving flawed and imperfect people isn’t easy.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship.” The pathway to this requires us being “overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves.” In other words, loving God’s family well will involve pain, disappointment, frustration, as well as joy, laughter, and fun. Love for others must face the sin issue in others, and in ourselves, and then – like God – keep on loving anyway.
We learn from the Apostle John and Bonhoeffer’s commentary that we’ve got to love the actual family of God, not merely our ideal dream of the church. What does it mean to love our brothers and sisters well? Here’s a checklist for you:
| Love takes initiative | Love serves | Make time for people |
| Include outsiders | Active listening | Coffee together |
| Pray for & pray with | Stick to your word | Readily apologise |
| Forgive quickly | Good communication | Encourage. Speak life |
| Meals together | Day trips together | Welcome into your home |
Prayer:
Father, help me to love my brothers and sisters not in word only but in deed and in truth. Move and empower me as I choose to be intentional about this so that it becomes instinctive. Spirit of fellowship, create sweet fellowship in my church community, in Jesus’ name.