Keep on Loving

Nothing should stop our love for our family in Christ.

February 23, 2020

"Let brotherly love continue."

Hebrews 13:1

“Let brotherly love.”
In the days of the Bible, the world understood “brotherly love” as it relates to those of the same blood.  These brothers and sisters are of the same family.  But this idea for believers was unheard of before the Savior came.  Believers used “brotherly love” to describe that love that the followers of Jesus had toward each other “as children of one Father” (Hebrews 2:11).[1]

The writer of Hebrews believed in “brotherly love.”  This is seen in how he urged believers to respond to each other.  Brotherly love takes many forms (spiritually, physically), here are a few of them.

Brothers and sisters are innately concerned and care for each other’s needs.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

Brethren encourage each other.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).

Children in God’s family challenge each other to do right.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

God’s children look after each other.

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrew 12:12-15).

“Be all of one heart and one soul” [2] (Clarke).

“Continue.”
This suggests that they already were loving each other.  It is the Lord’s encouragement to keep on going in their care for one another.

As God loves men – philanthropy, we believers ought to love each other – philadelphia.[3]

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

What a great privilege we have in loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s keep on doing what Jesus says we ought to do.

 

 

 

[1] See the Popular New Testament.
[2] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] See Clarke.