“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, MUTUAL AFFECTION; and to mutual affection, love.”  2 Peter 1:5-7

SPIRITUAL MATURITY – MUTUAL AFFECTION….by KELLY, MOTHER OF TWO

I've just spent the last ten days in Portland babysitting my sisters’ three children.  All of them are under the age of 10 – talk about self-control and perseverance!  Anyway, I helped my nephew write a story about Babe Ruth.  I was so inspired by his life story that I can't stop thinking about it.  

Babe, born George Ruth Jr., was one of eight children, although only he, and his sister, Mamie, survived childhood.  Babe’s parents both worked long hours, so this lack of parental supervision allowed Babe’s troublesome behavior to spiral out of control.  At the young age of seven, his parents sent him to the St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, a school run by Catholic monks, to provide a stricter environment.  Babe lived at this reformatory school until he was 19 years old.  One of the monks, Brother Matthias, took an interest in Babe and became a father-like figure and positive role model in his life.  It was Brother Matthias who taught Babe baseball – working tirelessly with him on hitting, fielding, and pitching.  And from there, the rest is history!  Babe Ruth is often referred to as the greatest baseball player who ever lived.   

When Brother Matthias started playing catch with Babe in the school yard, his intentions were not to create a baseball star, but to simply show loving kindness to a young boy who needed just that.  So you see, just by helping our children, we really do make a difference in their life – even though, at the time, it may seem inconsequential.  I doubt my influence will carry the magnitude of Brother Matthias, but that doesn’t stop me from using my role as wife, mother and aunt to help and encourage others in my life.

FROM THE BIBLE

“Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor.”  Romans 12:10

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:3-5

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1.      Babe Ruth’s story stayed in Kelly’s thoughts.  Talk about the different ways she may have been inspired.

2.      Discuss the significance of overcoming adversity through the help of a positive role model.  How can you relate?

3.      Mutual affection can be seen through kindness in relationships, and Jesus’ life models exactly that.  Name a couple biblical examples where Jesus showed brotherly kindness to others.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN!

The King James translation for mutual affection is “brotherly kindness”.  Brotherly kindness comes from the Greek word “philadelphia”, which means kindness or friendship.  Simply stated, mutual affection is a conscious decision to treat others kindly.  But here’s the catch:  God desires us to not only express kindness in occasional circumstances, but to make it a part of our daily life – a lifestyle choice. 

William Penn founded the Province of Pennsylvania, the colony that became the state of Pennsylvania and home to the city of Philadelphia.  The democratic principles he implemented in Pennsylvania helped provide the inspiration used for drafting the United States Constitution.  Although Penn died in 1718, his words are timeless:  “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” 

Mutual affection – it all comes down to relationships – and either you spend time nurturing them through kindness and friendship, or you don’t.  Penn left a legacy affecting the founding principles of our nation.  Kelly is actively leaving her nurturing legacy in the life of her nephew.  Are you striving to leave a personal legacy through loving acts of kindness and friendship?  Let biblical principles guide you – model your life after Paul’s words in Philippians:  “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 2:5) 

MEMORY VERSE

“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”   2 Thessalonians 3:13