If I truly love my brother in Christ, I will demonstrate my love through my actions and attitudes toward him. Here are the ways this love is expressed according to Scripture:
- I will restore him
- Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
True love for a brother means restoring him when he falls, helping him back to spiritual health with gentleness.
- Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
- I will not offend him
- 1 Corinthians 8:32-33: “So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
Love involves careful consideration of how our actions might affect others, ensuring that we do not lead our brothers into sin.
- 1 Corinthians 8:32-33: “So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
- I will help him grow stronger
- Romans 14:1: “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”
Loving our brothers means helping them grow in their faith by being patient and supportive, even when their understanding or conviction is still developing.
- Romans 14:1: “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”
- I will encourage him to good works
- Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Love compels us to motivate one another to live out our faith through good works and acts of service.
- Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
- I will not be jealous of him
- 1 Peter 3:9: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
True love eliminates jealousy and encourages a spirit of unity and peace, where we rejoice in our brother’s successes and blessings.
- 1 Peter 3:9: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
“The Lord is with you while you are with Him.”
By loving our brothers as Christ commands, we align ourselves with God’s will and draw closer to Him, experiencing His presence and guidance in our lives.
Faith & Reason Nexus 
Leave a comment