The Source of Brotherly Love

“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.” (Jn 13:34-35)

We all know how important it is to love one another, as this is a new commandment that the Lord Jesus Christ gives to us. Can we love just because of God’s commandment? We want to, but we cannot. We need to learn about the origin of love. God is the source of our love. When a person experiences love and has love in his/her heart, then he/she shows love through giving to others.

No words can express the joy of God’s love. Only those who have tasted God’s love for themselves can comprehend it. How many times have we experienced God listening to and answering our prayers? Even times when our wishes were childish, our words were confused, or our thoughts were foolish. Yet God answered our prayers according to our real needs, not our own desires, which brought joy. When we meditate on the love of the Lord, our hearts refresh within us, and we long to love Him more, as described in Hymn 104 “My Jesus, I love Thee”. If we love God, then we need to love one another, for he who loves God must love his brother also (1 Jn 4:21).

However, it may be difficult to love one another even though we want to. Sometimes people say or do things that hurt, anger, or frustrate us. They may be ungrateful or even have contempt for our love. It is not always easy to love. We need strength to remain loving. If we grow cold in our love for one another, then we will lose a vital sign for people in the world to recognize us as the followers of Jesus Christ.

When you feel like you are in the desert of love, think about the goodness of God. Looking back through all your experiences with God, think of how His grace has been sufficient for you in all your troubles. Think of how His blood has cleansed all your sins. Think of how His rod and staff have comforted you. Look back upon the love of the Lord and let faith and hope ensure you of His love for you in the future. Like a living fountain, God’s love can relinquish a dry heart and establish a person in love and power.

God is the source of our love. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love. The Spirit lives in our heart and transforms us to be more and more like Jesus Christ. Let Christ’s love for you motivate you to love other believers, and feel free to express that love.