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              Peter opens his second letter by emphasizing to his readers the many blessings and promises God has provided to those that love and follow him.

              In verse five to eight he suggests a number of things that believers should do as a response to all the things God has done for us.  As you read the list, and if you are like me, you will find it somewhat challenging.

 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  II Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)

              Perhaps you will find the last one a little puzzling.  How do you add love to brotherly affection? Are they not essentially the same?  Brotherly affection refers to the kind of love often found in families and hopefully in the church.  Family love is quite often results in emotional, deep and meaningful relationships. Believers are encouraged to develop and nurture such relationships.

              But the word translated as ‘love’ is from the Greek word ‘agape’.  Agape is described as the highest form of love, it is unconditional and unmerited. It is a choice to love, prioritizing the well-being of others, even enemies, as shown by Christ's sacrifice.

With this in mind, reread the last sentence of Peter’s again.  You can see that he is challenging his readers to seriously upgrade the nature of their love.  There’s nothing wrong with pure brotherly love. It can , and often is, quite strong and extremely supportive.  But genuine sacrificial love demands much more commitment and is demonstrated much less often.

So be challenged!

Pastor Dave