Practical Christianity

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“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Rom. 12:9-109Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; (Romans 12:9‑10)). The love spoken of in verse 9 is probably love to all men; then in verse 10 brotherly love is particularly specified. The teaching of the Spirit in this verse seems to be that Christians should cherish one other as brethren in Christ. They should love as sincerely and tenderly as if they were the nearest relatives. And this love is to be manifested, not merely in repaying the attentions of others, but in anticipating them in acts of respect and kindness. All Christians are brethren, but as they belong to different families in this life and are called by different names, therefore brotherly love should distinguish them as of the same family. If this fails, what is left? We all have the same Father in heaven. He who loves the Father loves the brethren also. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and every one that loveth Him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of Him” (1 John 5:11After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (John 5:1)).
Love and Brotherly Love
Here, we have a point of much practical importance, though difficult to practice. The question needs to be asked, What is the difference between brotherly love and brotherly kindness? The Apostle says, in writing to the Hebrews, “Let brotherly love continue.” But he nowhere says, “Let brotherly kindness continue.” Love never fails; kindness must in some cases. A brother, through the power of Satan, may be walking disorderly or he may fall into error and become subjected to discipline; towards such a one our conduct must be changed, though our love remains the same, or is even stronger. The mind of the Lord on this point is plainly given. “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Rom. 16:77Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7)). “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:14). The persons here spoken of are still in communion; thus there is the difficulty in cherishing brotherly love and, at the same time, exercising a wholesome discipline towards them. When it comes to a case of excommunication, the perplexity in following the scriptural order may seem less, but our love should not be diminished.
Honor
“In honor preferring one another.” Instead of waiting, as we often do, for others to notice us before we notice them, we should strive to step forward first in paying others our Christian respect or “honor.” There is in some a false modesty and in others a secret pride which leads them to slip quickly out of a meeting, thereby preventing those from speaking to them who gladly would. And after this has continued for some time, the brethren complain of the lack of warmth and of no love to strangers. But, may I ask, who is at fault? Let the Word of the Lord decide. “In honor preferring one another” simply means to go before, to lead, to set an example. The meaning is not exactly to esteem others better than ourselves, as in Philippians 2:33Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3), important as such lowliness of mind is, but rather that we should seek to take the lead in these comely ways of our Father’s house. And the heart that meditates most deeply on the love of Christ toward us will be the first to feel that our love to the brethren is not to be governed by cold formalities, but by the measure and pattern of His love to us. Acts of kindness, the expression of sympathy, fellowship (whether in joy or in sorrow), forbearance, long-suffering and charity should abound in us for the refreshment and blessing of our brethren in Christ.
Things New and Old (adapted)