The command is that brotherly love continue without stopping, and it is always needed in the church. It is to be kept active, not allowed to lapse. Contemplating the Saviour brings reception of Christ, and from Him the power and grace to be recognized in heaven as sons of God. Bearing one another's burdens is a way of fulfilling the law of Christ. That burden-bearing love expresses the love and kindness shown by the Father in giving His Son, and it is to be known by experience.
It includes welcoming strangers and caring for suffering people. Such acts are done for Christ in the person of His people even when not recognized as such, while neglecting the needs of His people is neglecting Christ. In the church it includes patient and considerate treatment of others rather than sharp rebukes and attempts to dictate their course. It is kept active by treating fellow human beings with the tenderness and pitying love of Jesus.
Satan makes diligent effort to break this love by manufacturing trials, inventing grievances, and pushing love of position and strife for supremacy to become all powerful so that the love of Jesus is rooted out. For this evil work he brings in envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, evil-speaking, and cultivated criticism. Running from church to church to settle difficulties gives him what he wants by keeping hands and hearts full.
Where brotherly love stops, professed believers have a sickly experience that no prescribed remedy can cure. Ministers become disheartened and discouraged and suffer in health from carrying the burden. The church is made no better because its members do not resist the devil but cherish his suggestions.
The command is that brotherly love continue without stopping, and it is always needed in the church. It is to be kept active, not allowed to lapse. Contemplating the Saviour brings reception of Christ, and from Him the power and grace to be recognized in heaven as sons of God. Bearing one another's burdens is a way of fulfilling the law of Christ. That burden-bearing love expresses the love and kindness shown by the Father in giving His Son, and it is to be known by experience.
It includes welcoming strangers and caring for suffering people. Such acts are done for Christ in the person of His people even when not recognized as such, while neglecting the needs of His people is neglecting Christ. In the church it includes patient and considerate treatment of others rather than sharp rebukes and attempts to dictate their course. It is kept active by treating fellow human beings with the tenderness and pitying love of Jesus.
Satan makes diligent effort to break this love by manufacturing trials, inventing grievances, and pushing love of position and strife for supremacy to become all powerful so that the love of Jesus is rooted out. For this evil work he brings in envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, evil-speaking, and cultivated criticism. Running from church to church to settle difficulties gives him what he wants by keeping hands and hearts full.
Where brotherly love stops, professed believers have a sickly experience that no prescribed remedy can cure. Ministers become disheartened and discouraged and suffer in health from carrying the burden. The church is made no better because its members do not resist the devil but cherish his suggestions.