In the midst of our disagreements and even conflicts with brethren, we would do well to remember we are more than mere acquaintances. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer…” Paul wrote in Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another….” He also wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Why are these verses understandable and relatable? Because “we are brethren.” He who does not love his brother abides in death. John wrote in 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. It is a warm, accepting, tender and sacrificial love. In the New Testament, the love between brethren in Christ finds its basis in love learned from family (the fact we call one another “brother” and “sister” should have given that away). The lessons of family love are the very first ones we learn in life, and they are crucial to unity in the Lord’s church. The fact they were brethren meant they should have fond feelings for one another, be agreeable with one another, desire the very best for one another and be willing to work with one another, giving the other the benefit of the doubt.
He appealed to their most fundamental connection: family. The solution to the problem, for Abram, was simple.
The herdsmen, charged with taking care of their respective flocks, began to argue with one another. As the two prosperous men travelled with one another, their large herds began having trouble sharing resources. “So Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen for we are brethren.’ (Genesis 13:8)Ī problem arose in Genesis 13 between Abram and his nephew Lot.