” Behold, how good and pleasant it is When brothers dwell in unity!”
“For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, Life forevermore. (Psalms 133:1,3)”
It is a given that brotherly love ought to be a trait characterizing Christian fellowship. Yet we cannot hide from the fact that there are unloving people lurking within such circles. Especially in these last days when people are increasingly “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, . . . disobedient to parents. . . trucebreakers, false accusers, . . . fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded . . .” (2 Timothy 3:1-4), the Holy Spirit’s exhortation to love one another as a brotherhood and fellowship of Christians is a very important message to us. The Apostle John, under the inspiration of God, wrote about this topic of brotherly love in 1 John 3:14-19. The truths gleaned from this passage will greatly help us to appreciate and demonstrate brotherly love in our practice of Christian fellowship.
Three specific actions prove the presence of true love among the fellowship of believers.
Firstly, it is when we love the brethren. Loving the brethren are a sure mark of our salvation. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren…” (v. 14).
Secondly, it is when we sacrifice ourselves in order to alleviate the plight of the needy
Brethren. “…we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (v. 16b-17).
Thirdly, it is when this love is manifested not just in our speech but also in our deeds and in truth. “My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (v. 18).
Men of Good News Church strive to live up to the standards of the Word of God. If you would like to attend our Men’s Breakfast, please follow our website “News Blog” for a coming up breakfast.