Lesson 8: The Christian’s Love for His Brethren

The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren –It is not optional; it is mandatory. “And this is His commandment: that we should…love one another” (3:23).“And this is His commandment: that we should…love one another” (3:23). “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (4:11).“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (4:11). “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (4:21).“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (4:21). “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments” (5:2).“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments” (5:2). “…an old commandment which you have had from the beginning…a new commandment I write…” (2:7-8).“…an old commandment which you have had from the beginning…a new commandment I write…” (2:7-8).

The Christian’s Love for His Brethren The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren –It is not optional; it is mandatory. –Every use of “love” in these books is from agape Agape love is an exercise of the human will, which desires and pursues what is best for others.Agape love is an exercise of the human will, which desires and pursues what is best for others. It is a deliberate choice and not a mere emotional sentiment or impulse of feelings.It is a deliberate choice and not a mere emotional sentiment or impulse of feelings.

The Christian’s Love for His Brethren The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren The importance of loving our brethrenThe importance of loving our brethren –It is a foundational stone of the gospel (3:11). –It is to be patterned after Jesus’ love (3:16). –It distinguishes a Christian as a child of God rather than a child of the devil (3:10-12; John 13:35). John combines righteousness w/ brotherly love. –It offers a Christian both assurance & confidence before God (3:18-23), knowing we are right with God and right before God (3:19-21).

The Christian’s Love for His Brethren The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren The importance of loving our brethrenThe importance of loving our brethren –When a Christian loves his brethren, it is proof that: He abides in light & not in darkness (2:9-11), thus has fellowship with brethren and with God (1:5-7).He abides in light & not in darkness (2:9-11), thus has fellowship with brethren and with God (1:5-7). There is “no cause for stumbling in him” (2:10).There is “no cause for stumbling in him” (2:10). He has “passed from death to life” (3:13-15).He has “passed from death to life” (3:13-15). He has been “born of God” (4:7) & “knows God” (4:7).He has been “born of God” (4:7) & “knows God” (4:7). God abides in him (4:12) & he abides in God (4:16).God abides in him (4:12) & he abides in God (4:16). God’s love “has been perfected” in him (4:12).God’s love “has been perfected” in him (4:12). He loves God (4:20-5:3) & he loves Christ (5:1).He loves God (4:20-5:3) & he loves Christ (5:1). He has been obedient to the command of God (4:21).He has been obedient to the command of God (4:21).

The Christian’s Love for His Brethren The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren The importance of loving our brethrenThe importance of loving our brethren The characteristics of love for our brethrenThe characteristics of love for our brethren –Jesus says we can identify a tree by its fruit (Matt. 7:16, 20; 12:33; Luke 6:44). –Thus, a Christian who loves his brethren will: Express his love through his actions & not through empty words (3:16-18).Express his love through his actions & not through empty words (3:16-18). See the needs of his brethren & respond (3:17).See the needs of his brethren & respond (3:17). Be tireless in his efforts (3 Jn. 5-8).Be tireless in his efforts (3 Jn. 5-8). Desire the best for others (3 Jn. 2, 9-11).Desire the best for others (3 Jn. 2, 9-11).

The Christian’s Love for His Brethren The command to love our brethrenThe command to love our brethren The importance of loving our brethrenThe importance of loving our brethren The characteristics of love for our brethrenThe characteristics of love for our brethren The blessings of loving our brethrenThe blessings of loving our brethren –Enjoy the assurance of salvation (4:12-16). –Boldly anticipate Jesus’ second coming and our standing before the judgment seat of God without fear (2:28; 4:17-18). –Complete confidence when we pray (3:19-23; 5:14- 15). –Enjoy being in fellowship with God (2:9-11; 1:5-7).