The Bible assures us there is a friend closer than a brother and that is the biblical standard of affection and we call it brotherly affection or philia in Greek. Christians are capable of agape love for each other and for God and this is shed abroad in our hearts per Rom. 5: 5. Jesus is the closest possible friend we can have and is the ideal friend. But look at David and Jonathan whose souls were knit together and the tie surpassed that of women. They were called "bosom friends." Sometimes our brother is called to admonish us gently and to remind us that we are still human and do err! The Holy Writ also tells us that the wounds of a friend are better ("faithful") than the kisses (flattery) of an enemy.
Brothers must learn that they are brothers first and buddies second or they will lose their credibility. It is fine to be best buds or pals and hang out together but a big brother has responsibilities and after they are grown the roles don't always stay the same--sometimes a younger sibling assumes the role of big bro. Nowadays "big bro" is derogatory and people call the government by that name, but some of us were glad to have a big bro growing up whether we want to admit it or not now.
There is a responsibility, to be honest first and to speak the truth in love, as Paul says. Jesus said in Matt. 5:22 that one who is angry at his brother or insults him "(the psalmist says that "the insults of those who insult [God] have fallen on [him])" is in danger of judgment! You don't say, "You are arrogant" (that is judging). You say, "That seemed an arrogant thing to say, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt anyway." I am very sensitive about being labeled "crazy," "unbalanced," "off my rocker," "gone off the deep end," "gotten carried away," "taken leave of my senses," "beside myself," etc. and any connotation thereof gets my goat. I overreact and go on the defensive and am oversensitive because of my personal background, but it takes a brave friend to point out the error of one's way. Sometimes our best friends are blind to our faults and perhaps that is why they are so close to us; our brothers really know the true self we portray and we can't fool them because they really know us and also when we need intervention or help or counsel.
"He who does not love his brother abides in death," according to John. This caveat to heed from John: If we don't love our brother whom we have seen how can we love Christ who we haven't seen; these are sobering thoughts. Soli Deo Gloria!
Brothers must learn that they are brothers first and buddies second or they will lose their credibility. It is fine to be best buds or pals and hang out together but a big brother has responsibilities and after they are grown the roles don't always stay the same--sometimes a younger sibling assumes the role of big bro. Nowadays "big bro" is derogatory and people call the government by that name, but some of us were glad to have a big bro growing up whether we want to admit it or not now.
There is a responsibility, to be honest first and to speak the truth in love, as Paul says. Jesus said in Matt. 5:22 that one who is angry at his brother or insults him "(the psalmist says that "the insults of those who insult [God] have fallen on [him])" is in danger of judgment! You don't say, "You are arrogant" (that is judging). You say, "That seemed an arrogant thing to say, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt anyway." I am very sensitive about being labeled "crazy," "unbalanced," "off my rocker," "gone off the deep end," "gotten carried away," "taken leave of my senses," "beside myself," etc. and any connotation thereof gets my goat. I overreact and go on the defensive and am oversensitive because of my personal background, but it takes a brave friend to point out the error of one's way. Sometimes our best friends are blind to our faults and perhaps that is why they are so close to us; our brothers really know the true self we portray and we can't fool them because they really know us and also when we need intervention or help or counsel.
"He who does not love his brother abides in death," according to John. This caveat to heed from John: If we don't love our brother whom we have seen how can we love Christ who we haven't seen; these are sobering thoughts. Soli Deo Gloria!