The emphasis on 'being' over 'doing', the inward over the outward, is often highlighted in the area of spirituality. The apostle Peter, after pointing out the need to develop graces that are more inward, such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness (2 Pet 1:5, 6) adds a focus to a more outward spiritual development, that is, brotherly kindness (2 Pet 1:7).

This outward virtue gives 'walk' to our 'talk' and life to our faith, for faith without works is dead (Jas 2:20). It describes the love Christians have for fellow brothers and sisters - a love that flows out of the oneness we have in Christ. In Christ we embrace the same hope, face the same trials and temptations and battle the same enemy - so aptly expressed in the hymn, 'Blest be the Tie'.

So important is our love for one another that the apostle John mentioned it as an evidence of our salvation: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (I Jhn 3:14). Jesus Himself made love for the brethren an identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples (Jn 13:34-35). The demonstration of true brotherly kindness among people of different social, economic and racial backgrounds is indeed the most powerful testimony of God's love in a world filled with hate, suspicion and self-preservation tendency.

Knowing that the practice of brotherly kindness is vital to our spiritual development, how do we put it in action? We will get a picture of how we can develop this virtue by taking note of situations where there is an absence of it. Where there is no brotherly kindness, we tear down our brothers or sisters' reputation behind their back, we murder them in our heart through envy, we steal from them their ideas to get credits for ourselves, we use them as stepping stones to our goals and ambitions.

Conversely, we practise brotherly kindness when we seek our brothers or sisters' well-being above ourselves: We seek to bring out the best in them. We make sacrifices so their needs can be met. We give them the assistance they need so they can achieve their goals. When we are considerate of those who are weak in faith (Rom 15:1) and are willing to limit our freedom for their spiritual well-being (1 Cor 8:13, Gal 5:13).

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