TOPIC: LOVE AMONG THE BRETHREN
Many animals are created to live together in close relationship, a concept known as symbiosis.
In symbiosis, both parties benefit from the relationship.
For Christians , unity extends beyond the human experience – it reflects a divine connection..
A lot of the nature of God has gone into it – His love, the Holy Spirit, and His very image has been imparted into this unity.
Every Christian must receive a revelation of what God desires us to become and accomplish, both for Him and for ourselves, through this divine symbiosis.
A leader that achieves this unity is truly a great leader.
Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.
Matt 26:31(NKJV)31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Why the Shepherd? Because he is the center and symbol of unity.
Is there anything more important for us to build than love and the unity of the brethren?
The goals of a local church cannot be achieved if it is void of unity.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of love and affection among fellow believers, especially within the church.
Jesus said in Matt 16:18(KJV)18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it
Where you find this love , there is no pretense.
Rom 12:9-10(KJV)9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Matt 26:23-25(NKJV)23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”He said to him, “You have said it.”
Ps 55:12-14(NIV)12 If an enemy were insulting me. I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.
Love is as strong as death.
Songs of Solomon 8:6-7 “For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.”
2 Sam 1:26(TLB)26 How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan; How much I loved you! And your love for me was deeper Than the love of women!
What can separate us from loving ourselves?
Rom 8:38-39(TLB)38 For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, 39 or where we are-high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean-nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.
The power of this love fosters unity, creating a sense of oneness among believers as they share the same faith and purpose.
1 Peter 1:22(KJV)22 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 Thess 4:9-10 “9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
We are joking with this love. We don’t understand it.
1 John 3:14-16(KJV)14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16 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.
Love is a mystery.
Everyone in the church should be genuinely and wholeheartedly involved in loving fellow believers. This love is expressed by showing honor to one another—recognizing and respecting the dignity of others, especially within the church community.
John 13:34-35(KJV)34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another
Brotherly love is both a manifestation and a reflection of God’s love for us, as we are called to love one another in the same way He loves us.
Example of the early church in Acts of apostles is a perfect example and should be our standard.
Acts 4: 32-35 (KJV)32 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.33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 2:44-47(KJV)44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
John 15:13-15(NLT)13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
Prov 10:12(TPT) Hatred keeps old quarrels alive, but love draws a veil over every insult and finds a way to make sin disappear.
This is what will judge us as Christians – this point of enduring – Eph 4:1-6(KJV) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Phil 2:1-2(KJV)2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
It includes a willingness to forgive those who have wronged us, just as God has forgiven us. True love also brings encouragement, offering words of support and strength to others, especially during times of hardship.
Col 3:12-17(KJV)12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Heb 13:1-3(KJV)13 Let brotherly love continue.2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Jer 31:3-9(KJV)3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.7 For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.11 For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
