The single most important characteristic that is to identify children of God is love for one another. This truth is revealed especially by the pen of the man known as the apostle of love — the apostle John. There are a number of reasons for the designation. First, it was a self-designation as John humbly referred to himself in the third person in his gospel, as a disciple “whom [He/Jesus] loved” (cf. John 19:26; 13:23; 20:2; 21:7). Too, love was a central theme of both John’s gospel and his letters.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:19-21).
There are two words which define the love of a Christian toward his brother or sister in Christ. One is the affection we are to have for one another due to our common relationship with God and our filial relationship. This is the brotherly affection noted by the Greek term philadelphos. This word is used by Peter in 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderheart-ed , be courteous.”
John also uses the second word, one which elevates the discussion to another level. John wrote in 1 John 5:2, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.” The words translated “love” in this text both come from the Greek agapa? which Strong defines as love “in a social or moral sense.” Thayer adds “to have a preference for, wish well to, regard the welfare of…” Agapa? is elevated by God, as He through His Spirit refers to it as the love He has given to men (cf. John 3:16). Love as seeking the best for others is elevated by Him to a place of preeminence in the Christian life.
Though we can have affection as a part of this love, it is not intrinsic to the term. The simplest demonstration of this is Jesus command for us to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:43). We may not have affection for those who seek our harm, but we can return their evil with good, seeking their welfare.
Now consider the special relationship we have with other Christians. We have the same God, the same Savior, the same Master, the same hope, the same instructions. This should be considered the next time we hear or are tempted to say that we have no real commonality with some brother or sister in Christ. We don’t all have to be jocks, or nerds, or young, or old. What we similarly embrace is sufficient for the closest of relationships! We have the most important things in common! “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).
The New Testament is replete with such calls for brethren to love each other, emphasizing its importance and quality. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8). “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).
This is important, our love must not stagnate. Our love must be fervent. How do we ensure this? By working at it! Paul expressed this to the Thessalonians. “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). So you say, I know I am to love! Well, I know you know. Further, I know you have already been loving your brother, maybe for quite a while. The encouragement is still relevant, “But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more.” This shows the value the Holy Spirit puts upon the action of love!
Consider Paul’s words describing how this love is shown. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Our love for our brethren is based in humility, seeking their welfare before our own. It impacts every aspect of our relationship. If we all act in this way, our relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ will blossom!
This is key to our efforts in our interactions with brethren. God expects it. So let’s “increase more and more”!
