Sibling Harmony - Step 2: Who Do I Love?

Okay, we went over WHAT love is and HOW we be and show love; now comes the sticky part: who do I love?

According to Jesus, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) and, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31b)

So we are to love both our enemies and our neighbors. That ought to include everyone on the planet. Therefore we are to love everyone. The point I'm trying to push is, "There is no reason to NOT pursue a good relationship with your sibling." I know this is kind of overkill to prove my point, but I can't tell you how many screwy sibling relationships I've come across... Two Biblical examples would be:

1) Cain and Able. Everyone knows the story of how Cain became so jealous of Able that he took his brother's life. If Cain had loved his brother, there would have been no conflict! (See Genesis 4)

2) Jacob and Esau. God works everything to the good, yes, but if these brothers had been looking out for each other in stead of trying to usurp each other there would have been a lot less heartache, trouble, pain, and division.

In our modern-day world, even in our very own Christian circles, I see children and families torn apart by enmity between brothers and sisters. I say (especially to the older siblings) THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT PURSUING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SIBLINGS!!! That means no matter the difference in gender, age, personality, beliefs, or anything else, as siblings, God has put you together under the same house TO HELP AND ENJOY EACH OTHER!

For the young children: God wanted you to have a best friend; so, He gave you a sibling. I'm serious! No matter how different you are from each other, God wants you to -- not just be friends, but be best friends.

For the youth: right now you are preparing to be good husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, you'll get no better practice than maintaining a good relationship with your siblings. You think it's hard to get along with your brothers and sisters? Wait until you get married! If you don't have the resolve to at least attempt (and I mean to continually attempt) to love and be love toward your siblings -- your own flesh and blood! -- what business do you have in trying to love a spouse!

For the adults: at this point there isn't as much opportunity to be love to your siblings, but there is still no excuse for not pursuing a good relationship. If you or your sibling has move far away, you must be open and put in some effort to show the other sibling that you care and want to have a healthy relationship. If the other sibling is not interested in a relationship with you, don't give up on them, but do not hound them either. Be open and make sure that they KNOW that you truly do care.

Love like this applies not only to siblings, but to EVERYONE. I wanted to harp on brothers and sisters, but in all reality, as Christians, we are to pursue a Christ-like love to all the earth: from terrorists, to homeless, from preschoolers to millionaires. Everyone is included in this mix and we are called to love and be love to everyone.

Link to Step 1