I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: Revelation 3:8

     In the final book of the Bible, Jesus addresses seven churches in the Asia Minor region. Five of the churches received both commendation for their labors and condemnation for their compromise of the word of God. Two churches were exempt from negative criticism. The church at Philadelphia was one of these churches. It was also the church that Jesus had blessed with an open door. The door that was open to them was a blessing of growth and strength. They had an awesome opportunity to preach, teach, and live the word of God in a hostile city. Philadelphia was an area where the followers of Jesus were ostracized from mainstream society and the Jewish elite. They especially suffered intense persecution from the Roman government who during this time tolerated most every other religious worship except Christianity. Despite these hurdles, the Lord was still in their presence. He was protecting this body of believers and blessing them with an opportunity to be a great witness for His name sake.

     What were the actions of this church that warranted the commendation from our glorified Savior? I believe they followed the Biblical principle of brotherly love and laborer fervently to love God’s children as brothers and sisters in Christ. I think it no coincidence that Philadelphia literally means ‘brotherly love’. This church lived up to its name. They were encouraging one another in great adversity. When one of their own was suffering they helped them bear the burden. The result of this relationship was a blessing of an open door amongst their church that no man could shut. They made a great impact in their community because of their love for one another! This ought to be our desire today.

     We as God’s people should mirror the Biblical concept of brotherly love. Could it be that many of our churches have lost their influence because of a lack of love amongst her members? How involved are you with others in your church?. Do you only see others in your church in passing during Sunday worship? Who makes up your circle of friends? Is it fellow believers in Christ or other people in the world? Let us examine some scriptures in the Bible that teach the principle of brotherly love.

     In Romans 12 the Apostle Paul instructs us to present our bodies a living sacrifice in the service of the Lord. As he expands on how we are to accomplish this task, he instructs us in verse 10 to, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” As Christians we are to be affectionate and treat one another as brothers and sisters. We are not to be self-centered and egotistical but are instructed to prefer our brother above ourselves. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul writes that true brotherly love is taught to us by God. When we are quickened by the Spirit of God we are given the ability to love one another. This love transcends racial, economical and cultural barriers. Through the process of regeneration once bitter enemies can embrace one another in love and work together to glorify Almighty God.

     The Apostle Paul is an excellent example of one being changed from a hater of the church and Jesus Christ to a lover of the Lord and His people. His encounter with an obscure preacher in the Bible clearly demonstrates the characteristic of brotherly love that was demonstrated at the church in Philadelphia and taught in the scriptures. In Acts 9 we witness the incredible transformation of Paul. After Paul was met by the Lord on the Damascus Road, a preacher by the name of Ananias was commissioned by the Lord to meet him in the house of Judas. Ananias was fearful because the man formerly known as Saul had previously persecuted those who professed Jesus Christ as their savior. However, the Lord assured Ananias that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear his name. Notice in Acts 9:17 how Ananias addresses Paul. “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

     Ananias addressed Paul as his brother. One that previously persecuted and butchered the church was now welcomed into her with open arms. It is my desire that we would treat one another in this manner. When it is evident that the Spirit of God has changed another person we ought to treat them as a brother or sister in Christ. We ought to prefer them above ourselves and love them for Christ’s sake. If they believe in the full, complete, and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and come with an attitude of repentance desiring to be baptized then we should welcome them into our churches with open arms and not forbid baptism. In doing this we glorify the Lord and pave the way for a blessing of an open door in our communities. Let us strive to imitate the example of the church at Philadelphia. When we follow the command to let brotherly love continue, we obey the instruction of Christ. Who knows what type of open door the Lord may place before us when we follow him!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

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Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastor@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church

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