Topical Bible: Loving Your Brother and Sister

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The concept of loving one's brother and sister is a central tenet in Christian theology, deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. This love is not merely a familial affection but extends to all members of the Christian community and beyond, reflecting the love of Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the principle of loving one's neighbor, which is foundational to understanding the broader command to love one's brother and sister. Leviticus 19:18 states, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This commandment emphasizes the importance of love and forgiveness within the community of God's people.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament expands on this commandment, with Jesus Christ emphasizing love as the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus declares, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Here, the term "neighbor" is inclusive of all, but particularly highlights the importance of love within the Christian fellowship.

The Johannine Emphasis

The Apostle John, in his epistles, places a significant emphasis on the love between brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1 John 3:11 , he writes, "This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another." John further elaborates in 1 John 4:20-21 , "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well." This passage underscores the inseparable link between love for God and love for fellow believers.

Pauline Instructions

The Apostle Paul also addresses the importance of love within the Christian community. In Romans 12:10 , he exhorts believers, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." Paul’s letters frequently highlight the need for unity, patience, and kindness among believers, as seen in Ephesians 4:2-3 : "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Practical Implications

Loving one's brother and sister involves practical actions and attitudes that reflect Christ's love. This includes forgiveness, as instructed in Colossians 3:13 : "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." It also involves serving one another, as seen in Galatians 5:13 : "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love."

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to love one's brother and sister is clear, it is not without challenges. Human relationships are often fraught with misunderstandings and conflicts. However, believers are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate this love, as noted in Galatians 5:22 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

In summary, loving one's brother and sister is a fundamental expression of Christian faith, deeply rooted in Scripture and exemplified by Jesus Christ. It is a call to live out the love of God in tangible ways within the community of believers and beyond.

Topical Bible Verses

1 John 4:20-21
If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
Topicalbible.org

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that loves not his brother stays in death.
Topicalbible.org

Library

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... a motherly love toward every brother and sister in Christ ... deceive yourself with
beautiful thoughts about loving God ... to God by your love to your brother; that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm

The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... I speak for each brother and sister here, is not that your language? ... Sat there ever
a woman in her chamber who had more reason for loving God than I have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm

Arria and Her Brother were Far from the Shores of Hellas and Near ...
... And, still loving the priest, she kept herself pure in thought and deed. ... "I will
tell you to-morrow," said her brother. "'Tis time you went to your couch and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 21 arria and her.htm

Love Thine Enemy.
... Lord,"""That ye may be perfect, as your Father in ... another's claims can only go with
the loving heart ... O brother, sister, across this weary fog, dim-lighted by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/love thine enemy.htm

What the Flowers Say.
... innocent child, one who is gentle, obedient, loving, pure ... this story thinks that
when the brother and sister ... her hand, and said, "Willie, here's your rose." So ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lxi what the flowers.htm

The Gospel Cordial
... Perhaps your trouble my brother, is that your ... Possibly you, my sister, are sorrowing
over that dear ... Your loving heavenly Father has foreseen, foreknown, and I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the gospel cordial.htm

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. AMW Christopher --Letter from Gulf of ...
... He is such a willing, obedient, and loving fellow, he ... My visit to you and your home
that morning was ... from native home, and father and mother, brother and sister ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter v 1872-1874 letter from.htm

Known by their Fruits.
... man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is ... to God by showing love and kindness
to your brethren ... out to bring back the wandering sheep; by loving acts of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xliii known by their.htm

Letter xxxi. To Pulcheria Augusta .
... Your clemency is to know that I have written in ... to the holy bishop Flavian also:
that loving-kindness be ... had brought about a quarrel between brother and sister ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xxxi to pulcheria augusta.htm

Joy in the Holy Ghost.
... One sharp word to your brother or sister brings a cloud upon ... trying to ruin me."
Take them all, and your own wife ... joy is; it is the joy of always loving, it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/x joy in the holy.htm