2024-01-08 “Let brotherly love continue.”

Hebrews 13:1  “Let brotherly love continue.”

From a previous note: “Paul admonishes us to work at loving our Christian brethren (brothers and sisters).  This love is not to be shown in a sporadic or haphazard way, but in an enduring, perpetual way.  Hindrances to this love are sure to arise through disagreements and provocations from within and without the brotherhood; nevertheless, we are to continue in love.  This does not mean that we are to condone or encourage misbehavior or heresy among our brethren; we counter improper conduct and teaching by proper teaching and consistency on our part and lovingly admonishing, exhorting, and encouraging our brethren.”  For “brotherly love” to “continue” we must spend our time focused upon our Lord and not ourselves.  Paul exhorts us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” (Romans 12:10).  This “brotherly love” is how people recognize us as disciples of Jesus Christ; for, our Lord plainly declared, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).  The contrast is quite stark; for as the Lord told some, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.” (John 5:42).  In today’s world, where sincere “brotherly love” is often hard to find, the Children of God rejoice to band together in the Lord’s Church to worship and enjoy the comfort and peace of “brotherly love”.  Therefore, let us pray for and labor that “brotherly love” will “continue.” in our Country and communities!