Keep On Loving

Keep On Loving
Words of Faith 5-6-26
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2026
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Hebrews 13
[1] Keep on loving each other as brothers.

In Chapter 13, the Writer turns to the very practical expressions of a life that trusts God and is redeemed by His grace. The first is what the Bible calls "brotherly love." The term literally means "from the same womb."

Brotherly love is not something that comes easily, even among brothers! Remember that Jacob and Esau jostled each other in their mother's womb and lived most of their lives in a struggle against each other (Genesis 25:21). The sons of Jacob were so envious of their brother Joseph that they faked his death and sold him into slavery! There can be more rivalry between brothers than between strangers, so how are we to interpret this?

What the Writer calls us to in the Lord is the very best love that families share. Sure, there are conflicts in families. There are matters that must be worked out. There are even times of estrangement or separation. But when there is a genuine need, a bond between siblings cannot be easily broken. In our life with the Spirit, we are to have such a bond.

And we are also exhorted to keep at it! Keep on loving. The Writer was not talking about a single loving act or a periodic sweet moment. The call is to a persistent love that does not give up. This is not the saccharine exterior that some attempt to put on. This is a genuine love that binds us together as a family in Christ, as a brotherly clan.

This sort of love binds each other in an unbreakable union, that holds each other ever so deeply within the heart, that knows deep affection for each other, that nourishes and nurtures each other, that shows concern and looks after the welfare of each other, that joins hands with each other in a common purpose under one Father.

If we think about it, we often take one another for granted in church circles. It is easy to become focused on the church's mission and work and to sort of miss the people who are doing the mission. Or we get busy and just become religious consumers passing one another in the cafeteria line. The Writer calls us to more. We are called to care. We are called to ask, inquire, inform, and respond to one another.

We are called to be something even more than earthly families and blood relationships can offer. We are called to be of support in difficult times and share in the joyful times. It is no wonder that people often look around a healthy church fellowship and say, "This is my family."

How are you doing with your church relationships? Are you sharing in brotherly love? Is there someone God is putting on your heart to love more carefully or attend to more deliberately?

Lord, put into me the fruit of Your Spirit, love. Show me the people You need to love through me in my church fellowship. Help me strike down all rivalry and strife. Show me how to grow through even the conflicts that come along in the Body. Teach me, brotherly love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.