Holy Habit #6: Brotherly Kindness Series

HOLY HABIT #6:

Brotherly Kindness

2 Peter 1:5-7

Introduction

“Loving one another is not optional in the Christian life. It is the evidence of it.” (John Piper)

This is where all our spiritual growth leads. The Holy Habits of 2 Peter 1 begin with faith and end with love. That journey transforms our character—and then overflows into our relationships. That’s where brotherly kindness comes in.

We’ve seen the progression: faith as the foundation, moral goodness as our framework, knowledge as our direction, self-control as our discipline, perseverance as our endurance, and godliness as our character. Now that character spills out into our relationships—beginning in the family of God.

That kind of life is the life God is wanting for us and it leads to love. First, love for our brothers and sisters, then love for all.

Brotherly Kindness. This is translated with a variety of phrases:

-brotherly affection - ESV, NLT

-the quality of brotherliness - Phillips

-Brotherly Kindness- NASB

-Mutual Affection - NIV

The Greek word here is familiar. Greek: Philadelphia - the love of brothers.

When we have Philadelphia we begin to have a different relationship with those around us in the church.

“A transformed life should lead to transformed relationships.” (Cortez)

Bob Deffenbaugh wrote, " …is the kind of love saints should have for one another as fellow-believers. It is a love based in part on what we share in common with the One we love. There is a certain element of reciprocity involved, for ideally we should be a blessing to our brother in Christ, and he should be a blessing to us.”

I want to share four truths about Brotherly Kindness that will help us see how important it is.

1. Brotherly Kindness Starts at the Cross.

The moment we obey the gospel, we’re born again—not just into new life, but into a new family. And in that family, love is the first responsibility.

1 Peter 1:22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

Peter is talking about the time when they gave themselves to the Lord. Notice verse 23: “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” (NLT)

Peter says this kind of love is to be “sincere” (ASV: unfeigned, CEB: genuine, LSB: without hypocrisy) and “deep” (literally: “at full stretch”). It's the love of someone straining every muscle in a race. This isn’t surface-level kindness; it’s gospel-shaped sacrifice. This describes the kind of effort that needs to be put into loving our Christian family.

Romans 12:10 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Harmon: Brotherly love is a byproduct of obeying the truth of the gospel (1 Peter 1:22) and must be intentionally pursued.

Gospel-shaped love doesn’t stop at our baptism—it reshapes how we handle disappointment, offense, and tension in the body of Christ. That’s why Peter tells us…

2. Brotherly Kindness Doesn't Clash, it Covers.

It doesn't ignore sin—but it doesn’t broadcast every offense. Love chooses grace over grudge.

1 Peter 4:8 “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

In any close relationship, friction is inevitable. That’s why Peter calls us to a love that covers sins—not by ignoring them, but by refusing to broadcast, exaggerate, or weaponize them.

As Lenski put it, “Love hides [sins] from its own sight… Hate does the opposite—it pries about, exaggerates, and gloats.” Brotherly kindness chooses restraint. It asks: “Can I let this go?” If I can, love covers that offense.

Include a moment to apply this: Is there a grudge I’m holding? Am I looking for faults more than fruit in my brother?

Love covers sins

-This does not mean that we turn a blind eye towards sin.

-It does mean that we do not make an issue about just everything.

Michael Green (via Harvey): “This gift has to be worked at. Love for the brethren entails bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ; it means guarding that Spirit-given unity from destruction by gossip, prejudice, narrowness, and the refusal to accept a brother Christian for what he is in Christ.”

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

1 John 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

3. Brotherly Kindness is Our New Identity

Brotherly Kindness is the Fruit of Our Identity. This is who we are now. Children of God love God's other children. God teaches us, Christ models it, and the Spirit empowers it.