2 Peter 1:7 Meaning: Brotherly Affection and Love
A Life of Love
The Call to Love
This leads us to our third and final point this morning: the life we have been called to live is a life of love. Love is central to the Christian walk, and brotherly affection and love go hand in hand, just as the previous three qualities—self-control, steadfastness, and godliness—were closely connected.
First, we are called to love one another as saints. This is what Peter refers to in 2 Peter 1:7 when he speaks of brotherly affection. He is describing a unique love shared only among believers—a love that exists between those who have been adopted into the same spiritual family. We are to love one another because we have the same Father, the same Spirit, and belong to the same Christ.
This love is demonstrated in practical ways:
- Praying for one another
- Serving one another
- Showing hospitality
- Comforting and encouraging
- Admonishing and teaching
Peter calls us to actively cultivate this love within the body of Christ. It is not a passive sentiment but a love that must be nurtured and expressed.
Love for the World
However, this brotherly affection is distinct from the broader love we are called to show toward the world. Peter moves from the narrow (love for the saints) to the broad (love for all people).
Though our love for fellow believers is unique, this does not mean we are to hate the world. Instead, we are called to love unbelievers in a different way. The love we have for the saints leads us to pray for their sanctification and deeper communion with Christ. This is not something we can pray for the unconverted. However, we can and must love the lost by praying for their salvation.
Our love for unbelievers is demonstrated through:
- The Gospel—sharing Christ with them in both word and deed.
- Personal Conduct—being a godly employee to an ungodly employer.
- Civic Responsibility—being a faithful citizen, obeying lawful authorities in all that is just.
Sadly, this type of love for the world is often lacking in many parts of Christianity. Yet, Scripture is clear. As John writes in 1 John 4:8:
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Love is not merely words. It is not enough to say, I love the brethren or I love my neighbor. True love acts. It is demonstrated, not simply felt.
The Example of Christ’s Love
God Himself has given us the perfect example of love:
- The Father’s love was shown in sending the Son to die for our sins, that we might be reconciled to Him.
- The Son’s love was shown in laying down His life voluntarily, that sinners like us might be saved.
Through Christ’s love, we have received:
- Faith
- Virtue
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Steadfastness
- Godliness
These are not qualities we develop on our own. They come only through union with Christ by faith. They are gifts of grace, which we must continue to increase in, that we may live lives that honor Christ and be preserved in the faith until the end.
May we, therefore, pursue a life of love—one that reflects Christ, strengthens the church, and testifies to the world of the God who saves.
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