The document discusses brotherly affection and its importance for church membership. It notes that Romans 12:10 commands believers to show family affection and honor one another. Several examples of how believers should treat one another are provided, such as accepting, encouraging, forgiving and praying for one another. The document argues that brotherly affection is important because it shows our new nature in Christ, strengthens faith, displays God's glory, and attracts others to God. It concludes by advising believers to preach to themselves that other imperfect believers are God's children, look for evidence of grace in their lives, and remember they too were once alienated from God.

1. “Loving One Another
Matters to Church
Membership.”

2. I. What is Brotherly Affection?
Romans 12:10 “Show family
affection to one another with
brotherly love. Outdo one another
in showing honor.”

3. A. Comfortable Around
Accept one another (Rom. 15:7)
Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)
Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10)
Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:31)
Belong to one another (Rom. 12:5)
Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11)
Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
Have equal concern for one another
(1 Cor.12:25)

4. B. Family Like Affection
Confess sins and pray for one another
(James 5:16)
Forbear one another (Eph. 4:2)
Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)
Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)
Live in harmony with one another
(1 Cor. 11:33)
Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14)

5. C. Willing to honor
Confess sins and pray for one another
(James 5:16)
Forbear one another (Eph. 4:2)
Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)
Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)
Live in Harmony with one another
(1 Cor. 11:33)
Wait for one another (1 Cor. 11:33)
Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14)

6. II. Why is Brotherly Affection so important?
A. God commands that we love with
affection and that we honor each other
because these two experiences (along with
the others in Romans 12) show the reality
of our new nature in Christ.

7. B. God demands that we love with affection
and prefer to honor each other because this
strengthens and confirms the faith of those
we love affectionately and honor.
C. God demands that we love with affection
and prefer to honor over being honored
because this displays the glory of Christ,
because he is the one who enables us to live
this way and this is a portrait of his own
character.

8. D. God demands that we love with
affection and honor each other because
this lures the world to love him and all that
he is for them in Christ.

9. III. How Do We Love One Another?
1. Preach to yourself that other
believers, no matter how imperfect, are
the children of God, your Father.
2. Look for evidences of grace in their
flawed lives.
3. Remember you were once utterly
alienated from God and cut off
without hope.

10. III. How Do We Love One Another?
1. Preach to yourself that other
believers, no matter how imperfect, are
the children of God, your Father.
2. Look for evidences of grace in their
flawed lives.
3. Remember you were once utterly
alienated from God and cut off
without hope.