Article September 29, 2014 Issue

Brotherly love in action

Charlene Anne Miller

How easily conflict arises in our daily round of interactions with others. Disrespect, jealousy, malice, rivalry, road rage, hyper-partisanship, and so on flare up, making us sizzle. Recrimination, revenge, turning a cold shoulder, or venting with those sympathetic to us may be a tempting ego-salve. Or sometimes we zip our lip, only to steam silently. And what if the malicious behavior of others threatens our job security or well-being?

How can we learn to handle conflict more prayerfully and effectively? The Bible instructs us with many examples of brotherly love successfully eliminating friction and harmonizing families, friends, and foes.

When Abram (later Abraham) allowed his nephew Lot to choose first where he wanted to move after their men had bickered and fought over land, that was brotherly love in action (see Genesis, chap. 13). When Abigail forestalled a vengeful attack by David against her rich but selfish husband, Nabal—again, brotherly love in action (see I Samuel, chap. 25). And isn’t one of the overriding themes of the New Testament to love one another with Christly affection and sincerity, returning blessing for cursing?

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