Topical Bible: The Love of God: Perfected in Saints by Brotherly Love

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The concept of the love of God being perfected in the saints through brotherly love is a profound theme in Christian theology, deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament. This notion emphasizes the transformative power of divine love as it manifests in the lives of believers, urging them to reflect God's love through their interactions with one another.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle John, in his epistles, provides a foundational understanding of this concept. In 1 John 4:12 , he writes, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us." This passage underscores the idea that God's love reaches its full expression in the lives of believers when they practice love towards one another. The invisible God becomes visible through the love that His followers exhibit.

The Commandment of Love

The commandment to love one another is central to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus instructs His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This commandment not only serves as a directive but also as a distinguishing mark of true discipleship. The love that believers show to each other is a reflection of the love they have received from Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in perfecting God's love in the saints. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to love beyond their natural capacity, enabling them to exhibit a love that is patient, kind, and selfless, as described in 1 Corinthians 13.

Brotherly Love as Evidence of Faith

Brotherly love serves as evidence of genuine faith and spiritual maturity. In 1 John 3:14 , it is written, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death." This verse highlights the transformative nature of divine love, indicating that a lack of love for fellow believers is indicative of spiritual stagnation or even death.

Practical Expressions of Brotherly Love

The New Testament provides numerous examples and exhortations regarding the practical expressions of brotherly love. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early church: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal lifestyle exemplifies the sacrificial and generous nature of brotherly love.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in Galatians 6:2 , encourages believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive calls for empathy, support, and active involvement in the lives of fellow believers, reflecting the love of Christ.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to love one another is clear, believers often face challenges in living out this commandment due to human imperfections and relational conflicts. However, the Scriptures provide encouragement and guidance. Colossians 3:13-14 advises, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."

In summary, the love of God is perfected in the saints through the practice of brotherly love, as believers embody the love of Christ in their relationships with one another. This divine love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of God's presence among His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 4:12
No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

I May Briefly Reduce the Chief Persuading Motive to this So ...
... art my Lord, my goodness extendeth not to thee: but unto the saints that are ... love
of God whose image it is, and then is the love of God perfected, when it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iii i may briefly.htm

Special Conference in virginia.
... Do you love your preachers, your Savior, and your souls ... to celebrate the eternal
Sabbath with the saints and the perfected just before the throne of God? ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/special conference in virginia.htm

1 John i. 1-ii. 11
... In this we know that we are in Him, if in Him we be perfected." [2038] Perfected
in love ... What, were there no saints in the whole world? ... They that love God's law ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily i 1 john i.htm

1 John iv. 16-Dec
... will be perfected in us." [2428] Begin to love; thou shalt be perfected. Hast thou
begun to love? God has begun to dwell in thee: love Him that has begun to ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily viii 1 john iv.htm

Continuation: with Texts from Scripture.
... Given to hospitality; communicating to the necessities of the saints." [1781]. ... But
whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xii continuation with texts from.htm

we have not only so high a pattern, but so excellent a motive
... and obscure shall be drowned in the vision of seeing God's face clearly. ... But love
only remains in its own nature and notion, only it is perfected by the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter ii i .htm

Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
... nearer Heaven, nearer God, never more God-like, never ... tender for men"are born and
perfected by prayer. ... Can brotherly love be in the heart which is unschooled ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm

The Impossibility of Failure.
... This love God rewards. ... fulfilment of the promise in its highest meaning, and were
not perfected apart from believers of after-ages,[111] God's words never ...
/.../chapter vi the impossibility of.htm

The Glorious Habitation
... God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us ... the poor soul." "Have you no
father?" "No; God is not my ... yourself with Christ, and feast on his love; it has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the glorious habitation.htm

The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning.
... of the Christian faith and had he lived to have perfected and finished ... This is the
sum of all, to worship God in faith and purity, and to love one another ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/the life of mr hugh.htm