The Importance of Brotherly Love, Hebrews 13:1-3
"Let brotherly love (filadelfia) continue" (menetw) Pres Act Imp - Abide, dwell, endure continually! This word is only used to teach truth related to three areas: Place, Time, and condition. There are no conditions or time when brotherly love is not to be shown. Christians form one family under the headship of Christ, and God is their Father. He has commanded them to love as brethren!
WHY IS BROTHERLY LOVE CRITICAL? So that others would see the love of Christ through His servants and come to Christ. The phrase "Brotherly love" is only used after Acts 2 (Pentecost). What was the force that emptied the temple, demolished pagan altars, vanquished Nero and Caesar, humbled great philosophers and religious scholars, and changed the direction and course of the world? It was the love of Christ at Calvary and then through His children!
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133:1
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 Cf. I Peter 3:8-9; I John 2:10; 3:14
HOW IS BROTHERLY LOVE MAINTAINED and BUILT?
*Understand and believe that pure love and understanding originated with our heavenly Father. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:10
*Recollect daily that Aone is our Master, even Christ" and we are all His brethren - But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Matt. 23:8
*Remember that every godly trait of character (family likeness) should instinctively cause us to be interested in our family's well-being. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Pet. 1:22
*Follow the example of Christ: the chief characteristic of the brethren is the love of Christ Himself seen in alt believer. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and 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? I John 3:16-17
*Watch for those things, which promote and strengthen brotherly love, removing all things that would impede growth. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:32
*Endeavor to keep the unity by growing in love for Christ - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph. 4:3-6
*Realize the serious nature of God’s command - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35
*Desire that God will be honored in eternity by your love - Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: I Pet. 1:21-23
*Promote peace - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom. 14:17-19
*Pray for personal patience, understanding, and forgiveness, grace - Rom. 15:4-7
*Recognize that we are in a spiritual battle – 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-13
WHAT DESTROYS BROTHERLY LOVE?
*Dwelling on the spiritual defects of other Christians. In spite of faults they are family in Christ.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. II Cor. 12:9-10
*A lack of continuing forgiveness: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Eph. 4:32
*Self-love, love of the world: lust in our hearts: ignorance of Satan's devices, natural differences left unchecked by the Holy Spirit, attempts at power and domination over the brethren, judging motives. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal. 5:16,25
WHAT DOES BROTHERLY LOVE MEAN?
We are born of the same parents, nursed with the same tender care, same dependence and same common inheritance. Real love is the magnet which attracts pure hearts together. Each Christian should purpose to let brotherly love continue and guard against the little foxes that search for a breach in the hedge!
*Brotherly love accords to others what it claims for itself! In true humility we should esteem others better than ourselves: show deference, forbearance, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, etc. Rejoice in another brother's success or authority, talents, reward, and spiritual growth. By doing this we convey the highest honor upon the Savior - The fellowship of the saints!!
"love one another" and let "brotherly love continue" are not trite N.T. ideas! The concept is taught by Jesus, and apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. TAKE IT SERIOUSLY!!
I Thess. 4:9 "But as touching love ye need not that I write unto you for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."
This love is to be after the pattern and example of Christ. His love is the "revealed standard" - I John 4:11-12 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."