Be Devoted to One Another

(3) Be Devoted to One Another                                                                                 

“Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit.” (Phillips)

“In the sphere of brotherly love have a family affection for one another, vying with one another in showing honor.” (Weust)

John Piper says, “Ponder that sentence, ‘Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.’ ‘Be devoted to one another,’ doesn't quite get the sense of the original. The RSV says, "Love one another with brotherly affection." But the word for "love" or "be devoted" refers to a special kind of love. It's used only here in the whole New Testament. But it is not a rare word outside the New Testament. It refers to "tender affection, particularly family affection" (C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, vol. 2, p. 632). So what the verse is calling for is that Christians have "tender affection toward each other in family love." 

In C.S. Lewis' book, The Four Loves, he says there are four basic kinds of love. He gives them their Greek names: agape—the God-like self-giving love even toward enemies; philia—the love of friendship and camaraderie; eros—the love of romance and desire and sexual attraction; and storge—the love of affection that arises through natural attachment, a child, a dog, a favorite old shabby sweater, a spot in the woods.
The word in Romans 12:10 is a form of this last word, storge. To be specific, it is philostorgos—tender affection, especially toward precious family members. But the key new element here for us is this affectionateness.”  

“Tender family affection among believers witnesses to the truth that God is our Father. The church is not primarily a human organization. It is primarily the family of God. To be a Christian means that you were born a second time into the family of God. You were born the first time into a human family. You were born the second time into God's family.

What If I Don't Feel This Tender Affection?

“But if it is so important and yet so hard, how shall we respond? Suppose you hear the command of Jesus this morning: Love the brothers and sisters at Bethlehem with tender affection. Open your heart wide to them. Feel a longing for them and joy in them. And suppose you can think of several people that you do not feel that way about. They have gossiped about you or snubbed you or let you down. And you say, "I hear you Lord. And I submit to the rightness of your command. But you see me through and through. I do not feel affection for him. My battle is just trying not to hate. But I yield. You have right to call me to this. I embrace the goodness and the authority of your call. I want to obey." Now what do you do?” 

1. Pray for the Spirit's Power
2. Focus on the Heavenly Reality and God's Mercies
3. Remember Christian Love Is a Growing Thing
4. Don't Be a Relational Fatalist

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: 
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/love-one-another-with-tender-affection

Acappella   “Be Devoted” - Live From Brazil -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEJicnjDlEg

Carry each other’s burdens
Carry each other’s burdens
And in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ

Chorus:
Be devoted (be devoted) to one another (to one another) in brotherly love (in brotherly love)
Be devoted (be devoted) to one another (to one another) in brotherly love (in brotherly love)
Honor one another above yourselves (above yourselves)
Never be lacking in zeal (never; never, never, never be lacking in zeal)
Keep (keep) your spiritual (your spiritual) fervor
Keep (keep) your (your) spiritual (spiritual) (your) fervor
Serving the Lord

Love (love) one another (one another)
Serve (serve) one another (one another)
Pray for each other (each other)
Encourage one another (one another)
And build each other up