“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” – 1 John 4:21 

Scripture reading: 1 John 4:19-21; 1 Peter 3:8-12

As we have been working through the book of 1 John, it seems that John repeats a number of themes over and over.  One of the most repeated themes is that of the necessity for believers to love the brethren.  Instead of giving in to the temptation to say that we have already covered this theme and skip it, we must stop and ask why John is emphasizing this theme so much.  If you are involved in a local church (and I hope and pray that you are), then you know that the number one difficulty in any church is interpersonal relationships.  It is hard to love as we ought!  John’s emphasis on this theme is far from a mistake.  It is the love and wisdom of God saying to us that we need to be often encouraged in this.

We are reminded in these verses that loving God means loving those whom God loves.  As you think about life in the church, don’t first ask yourself if you love this person or that.  Instead, ask yourself if Christ loves this person!  If Christ loves him, then that means that we must!  This, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone is equally easy to get along with, but what it does mean is that we should be the first in line to help people with their walk with the Lord.  Instead of complaining about people, ask yourself how you can lovingly help them.

Suggestions for prayer

Continue to plead with the Lord that you would have a heart that can truly love all those whom He loves.  Pray for grace to be able to love as Jesus loves.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.