LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE.
By N. L. Burdick
This exhortation of the apostle was given to the Hebrew church; and as we read it, it seems that the apostle saw that there was danger that in the future there might be less brotherly love manifested, and so warned them beforehand, that they might be prepared to withstand all feelings that would tend to destroy that love toward each other which then existed. Would it not be well for us to understand what is meant by brotherly love? Paul in his letter to the Romans, says it is to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Webster says, “Such as is natural for brothers.” The Saviour was our elder brother, and he said, “He that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my brother, my sister, and my mother.” Then by doing the will of God, by keeping his law, we are brothers; and when that obedience ceases, we cease to be brothers. The early church had great love for one another, which was made manifest by their having all things in common. Those who had possessions sold them, and came and brought the price, and gave to the apostles. This, then, was the condition of things when the apostle wrote to the Hebrews. What confidence existed among them! One of the evidences of their conversion to Christ was their love to one another. How will the words of the apostle apply to us? When we first came into the truth, did we not have that love toward each other? Did we not long for each other’s society? Have the cords of that tender love for each other been broken? Have divisions arisen? Have any roots of bitterness sprung up? If so, let us, as we value our hopes of eternal life, return to our first love, and let brotherly love continue as in the past. The promise is to those who do God’s will; and we cannot do this unless we love the brethren; or, at least, the latter is an index whereby we may know whether we are doing the former. May the apostle’s exhortation be heeded by us. May we allow no roots of bitterness to spring up in our hearts, nor make the cause of God to suffer by our unfaithfulness in divine things. It will not suffice to do almost right. “Almost cannot avail;
Almost is but to fail.
Sad, sad, that bitter wail,
Almost, but lost.”
May the Lord help us all to obey the divine command, and avoid this sad, bitter wail. N. L. BURDICK.