"And to godliness brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love " (2 Pet. 1:7.)
The distinction between love and brotherly love is of deep importance; the former is the source from whence the latter flows; but brotherly love may be mingled in its exercise with sentiments that are merely human-with individual affection, with the effect of personal attractions, or suitability in natural character. Nothing is sweeter than brotherly affections; their maintenance is of the highest importance in the Church; but these affections may degenerate, and if love-God's own character-does not hold the chief place, they may displace Him-set Him aside-shut Him out. Divine love, which is the very nature of God, is to direct, to rule, and gives character to brotherly love; otherwise, it is that which pleases us and governs us.
If divine love governs me, I love all my brethren; I love them because they belong to Christ; and there is no partiality. True, I shall have greater enjoyment in a spiritual brother; but I shall occupy myself about my weak brother, with a love that rises above his weakness, and has tender consideration for it. I shall concern myself with my brother's sin from love to God, in order to restore my brother, rebuking him, if needful. Nor, if divine love be in exercise, can brotherly love (or the name of it) be associated with disobedience. In a word, God is to have His place in all my relationships. To speak of brotherly love in such a manner as to shut out the requirements of what God is, and of His claims upon us, is to shut out God in the most plausible way, in order to gratify our own hearts. Divine love, then, which acts according to the character and will of God, is that which ought to direct and characterize our whole Christian walk, and to rule our hearts. Without this, brotherly love may easily substitute man for God.
It is not as children of God that I love the brethren, unless I love God, of whom they are born. I may love them individually as companions, or I may love some among them, but not as the children of God, if I do not love God Himself. If God Himself has not His true place in my heart, that which bears the name of love to the brethren shuts out God; and that in so much the more subtle a manner, because our link with them bears the sacred name of brotherly love.
If I love them because they are God's children, I should love all who are such, because the same motive engages me to love them all.
The universality of this love to all the children of God, and its exercise in practical obedience to His will, these are the marks of true brotherly love. That which has not these marks is a mere carnal party spirit, clothing itself with the name and forms of brotherly love. Most certainly I do not love the Father, if I encourage His children in disobedience to Him. J. N. D.