The purpose of our fraternity or brotherhood is to test each other in order to make sure that we can hold the line. Recall that the line of tension, learned as sons, is the offense of kindness and the defense of generosity. This tension maybe visually apparent on the field of play, however; the true tension lies in “the line” within. There is a healthy tension that lies within, yet unfortunately due to sin we see the line as conflict, a clash, opposing teams at war battling for field position. Was this the purpose of the son and father tossing the football in the family’s backyard? Were the lessons from the father about violent overthrow or benevolent bantering? Have we lost sight of the purpose of the game? Do we set aside rules for personal gain?
Our call to duty as brothers is to lay down our life for each other on that line (see John 15:13), to hold that line for the sake of our brothers, not for ourselves. This is real “brotherly love.” That tension on the line is mandatory because it leads to discipline, a discipline found in temperance. The temperance necessary to be a brother of the Lord takes practice. So before we go out on “game day,” we must set foot on the practice field where temperance is taught/tout in that tension on the line making us ready for the gridiron. This time we learn to control our bodies with diligence and abstinence. This is how temperance is practiced in brotherhood.
Posts
