Let brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1

A few weeks ago, Patrina and I watched a movie called The Essential Church. One of the pastors featured in the documentary talked about how the church should fulfill the “one another” passages in the Scriptures.

Why is it easier to shift our focus from things like “let brotherly love continue” to keeping a list of things we don’t do?

It’s about keeping score and checking boxes. I don’t steal. Check. I don’t get drunk or do drugs. Check. I don’t use foul language. Check.

Unfortunately, most of us are known more by what we don’t do. Is that what makes us Christians?

Consider the words of Christ recorded in John’s Gospel –

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13: 34

The writer of Hebrews has already noted the brotherly love at work in the people of God.

For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.

Hebrews 6:10

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Hebrews 10: 24

What does brotherly love look like? Think about it.