Episode 24 – Kinship in a Time of Exile

When in exile, kinship matters more. Or maybe we just take it for granted.

DEFINE: kinship – 1. the state or fact of being of kin; family relationship 2. relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; affinity

SYNONYMS: affinity, sympathy, rapport, harmony, understanding, empathy, closeness, fellow feeling, bond, compatibility

James 5:19-20
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Speech, selfish ambition, envy, double-mindedness, preferential treatment to those with wealth and influence, humility, prayer, confession of sin to one another… they are all the enemies of kinship among the community of Christ.

All of these things have intense consequences on our relationships, which seems to be why James assembles these grievances to address in his letter.