Love the Brethren

I am told that about 80% of children are born with a birthmark. Of that number, only about 10% of those birthmarks remain into adulthood. Our own granddaughter, Addy, was born with a bright red splotch on one of her arms. There is some clinical term for it, but in common speech, it was a birthmark. Given time, the spot faded away and is completely gone. However, for a while, we could clearly identify Addy from just that birthmark. 

I relate that for this reason: in the book of 1st John, the apostle states that every Christian bears several birthmarks from the moment they are born again until death. These indelible marks are present on 100% of those who are saved and never fade away. In fact, these marks are permanently embedded on the child of God from the time of their spiritual birth and only grow deeper and become more prominent. 

In case you are not aware, one of the major themes of 1st John is identifying true conversion from false. We know this is one of his primary reasons for writing because John says so near the end of the letter. If you, like many Christians, are searching for assurance of your salvation or questioning whether you have truly been born from above, I highly recommend you read and study the little book of 1st John. 

In that letter, the inspired author lists numerous beliefs and behaviors that help identify the true convert. If you want to determine whether you have become a disciple of Christ, I would urge you to give serious thought to those distinguishing marks that John states are clearly visible in the life of every believer. One of the most clarifying characteristics of a Christian is their love for the people of God. John states repeatedly one of the more readily recognizable birthmarks of a child of God is a love for the people of God. 

Take note of how clear John is in 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” Much could be said from this one short verse, but let me draw your attention to just a few things. 

First, for those who say no one can truly know whether or not they are saved or whether or not they are going to heaven when they die – they need to read 1st John. John employs the word “know” over 30 times in that brief book, including in the passage I just shared. He does so for the very purpose of emphasizing assurance of salvation. The writer says we can KNOW we have passed from death to life (and that is the language of regeneration and salvation) because we love the brethren. 

So, in this passage, we learn that one of the most distinguishing marks of every Christian is their love for one another or their love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. You can know you are a Christian if you have a deep, abiding, and growing love for the people of God. 

Contrastingly, John goes on to write, in the most candid language, you cannot be a child of God and not love the children of God. Friends, God is love, and one of the most distinctive marks of His children is their love for one another. So here it is in plain language: if you do not love people of the Christian faith – you are not a Christian. Simply stated, you cannot be a follower of Christ if you do not love the family of God.

However, if you do love God’s children, this is one of the identifying marks of those who have been regenerated and indwelt by the Spirit of God. And if I may, if you look back up at the verse I quoted, you will note there is no qualifying clause about which of God’s children we are to love. Said another way, no supplemental attribute here limits the scope of the brethren to whom we are to love. We are commanded to love every blood-bought, born-again believer. Every single one of them. Even those (like me) who are hard to love. 

Which is exactly what Jesus did! He loved the unlovable. The love of Christ is a selfless, sacrificial love. And He commands us to love one another in the same way: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). By this, Jesus said, will all people know you are my disciples … when you love one another. 

If you are asking yourself, am I a Christian? Answer this: do you truly love the people of God? Because love for the brethren is a permanent birthmark of every child of God.