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What We Believe and Why - Vol. II
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1982
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

Chapter Forty Five
Love in Action
Part II
"Brotherly Love"

INTRODUCTION:

Bear in mind what we said about putting love in action, for when we speak of brotherly love, we must include action for it to exist at all. It would be impossible for your brother to recognize love in you if you didn't put it in action.

It is important to make one distinction here. Where we find the word "brother" in connection with love, it limits the scope. As believers in Christ as Savior, we are sons of God. (Galatians 4:6-7, Romans 8:14-17) Unbelievers are children of the devil. (John 8:44) Therefore then, believers are not "brothers" of unbelievers, but the following scriptures and thoughts will show this love to be in a different sense, degree or kind.

I. WE RECEIVE CAPABILITY TO GODLY LOVE BY FAITH IN CHRIST.

A. According to Ephesians 2:1-3 the alien sinner has only worldly affections. If there be love, it has to be in a worldly human sense.

B. By faith in Christ a person is "born again." (John 3:3)

C. He is made over. (II Corinthians 5:17)

D. The laws of God are put in his heart. In essence he takes on a new dimension, the ability to love with a Godly love. (Hebrews 10:16)

E. Paul says the love of God is "shed abroad" in our hearts. (Romans 5:5)

F. It is impossible for one to experience Godly love until first he has been changed. (I John 4:19)

II. TO THE BELIEVER THE COMMAND IS REPEATEDLY GIVEN TO "LOVE ONE ANOTHER."

A. Consider a few of the direct commands.

1. "Let brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1)

2. II John 5; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 4:21; John 13:34.

3. Believers are under direct order to love their brethren, and when they don't they are overtly transgressing and directly disobedient.

B. "Forbear one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

C. "Support the weak." (Acts 20:35)

D. Warn the unruly, comfort the feebleminded, and support the weak. (I Thessalonians 5:14)

E. Bear up weak brothers. (Romans 5:1-2)

F. We are to esteem many very highly for work's sake. (II Thessalonians 5:13)

G. As members of God's family, we ought to continually be concerned for the well being of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We ought to take care of our family of Christians. It is a sad thing today that people of the world often show more love for each other than does the family of God.

H. We are to follow Christ's example.

1. Christ is the model for us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

2. The Church in Colosse (Colossians 1:14) and the saints of I Peter 1:22 were examples of brotherly love in action.

3. Paul, following Christ's example, did much for his fellow laborer's sake. (II Corinthians 5:13-14)

4. When a man can exemplify the kind of love under consideration in this passage, he has come to know real "brotherly love." (I Corinthians 8:9-13)

I. Brotherly love ought to be spontaneous. (I Thessalonians 2:7-8)

J. Jonathan's love for David is a grand example of brotherly love. Jonathan loved David as his own self (I Samuel 18:1) and was willing to do anything to aid him (verse 4). Though David was to be the next king, thus excluding Jonathan, nevertheless there was no jealousy. (I Samuel 20:34) Though his family and friends hated David, yet he loved him and at the risk of his own life protected him as chapter 20 fully shows. Jonathan's was a "continual" love for David and is was a "love in action."

III. ONLY THROUGH LOVE IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.

A. The commandments are summarized in love.

1. Look at Matthew 22:37-40. Especially note verse 40.

2. I John 3:23 says, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."

3. Love and obedience are inseparable. Show me a man who is loving, and I'll show you one who is obedient. When a man is loving, he is fulfilling the commandment of God. (II John 5-6)

4. John 15:10 says, "If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love."

5. Romans 13:8-10 is a very clarifying passage. Especially note the latter part of verse 8.

6. Galatians 5:14 says, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

7. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." We ought to always love like this. The conclusion is that the only way to obey the commandments of God is to love with a Godly genuine love. When this kind of love is present, we will take care of our fellow laborers and show a concern for the alien sinner. A man with real love will want to do everything he can for his brothers and sisters in the Lord and for the work's sake. He will be tithing, praying, testifying to the lost, rejoicing, bearing his share of the load, etc. It is only when love grows cold that these things cease.

B. Love then becomes a test of discipleship.

1. John 13:35 says, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples; if ye have love one to another."

2. I John 4:12 says, "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us."

3. According to John 21:15-17, Peter's love had grown cold, and by his own testimony he was just fond of the Lord. His actions in this state were not those of a disciple but of a backslider. When his love got right, he obeyed the Lord's commands.

No wonder then so many scriptures speak of love. It is the answer to the problems of man. When a man loves God and his neighbor, he is useful in God's service.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"