Living God’s Way: Sincerely loving our brethren

Carlton G. McPeak
Guest Columnist

A result of having a purified soul is having a “sincere love of the brethren” (1 Peter 1:22). This love is to be a “fervent love,” and it is to be a love “from the heart.”

The word “love” in this context is the idea of doing what is best for others without regard for yourself. It is thinking about the other person before thinking about yourself. It is considering the needs of another person before considering your own needs.

The love Peter is describing can be seen when one considers the love God has for mankind. Think about all the things in this world that are for the benefit of human beings, all the things God did in history to bring Christ into the world. Think about the eternal plan God had so that human beings, even though they have violated His laws and commandments, can be forgiven and live with Him for eternity. God’s love is tremendous. This is what Peter wants Christians to do for other Christians.

In his letter to these “aliens” who were “scattered” throughout many places, Peter said this love is to be “sincere,” not pretentious. It is free from deceit, displaying no hypocrisy. There is to be complete honesty in dealings with another, with no hidden agendas or motives. It is to be done “fervently,” with intense passion and deep feelings. It is to be done with enthusiasm.

While this type of love should be extended to everyone, Peter singled out a group of people he called “brethren.” By using this familial word, Peter described the close relationship Christians are to have with one another, not a casual relationship, but a relationship like that of close siblings.

This type of love probably is not going to be an immediate result of one's “obedience to the truth.” It more than likely will take time to develop. However, it should be the goal of every Christian to develop this type of love for fellow Christians.

While this love should be extended to Christians all over the world, Peter is probably indicating that this type of love should be seen in a local congregation. In a local group of Christians, there should be these feelings and emotions, along with actions, toward each member of the group.

Some people in the group will be easier to love than others. However, Peter’s instruction is for us to love “the brethren.” For the more difficult to love, we must keep in mind the love God has for us and then do our best to imitate that love to others. When we fervently display this sincere love for all the brethren, we are living God’s way.

Carlton G. McPeak ([email protected])

is an evangelist working in the Florida Gateway region.

Scriptural quotations from the NASB.