Are You “In Love” With Your Brethren?

By Edd Sterchi       It has been said that you should never fall in love with a tennis player – to them, love means nothing. Love should mean something to us. Love is an important concept to God and it should be to us, as well.     A common phrase we use is “in love” meaning that we are in a state of strong emotional attachment with someone. Well, I believe that Christians should be “in love” with one another. Doing a search of the phrase “in love” in our English Bibles reveals some interesting things concerning Christians’ relationship with each another (note: the following verses are based upon the NKJV). * “bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2). This means that we are patient with one another – that we are always there for them. * “edifying...in love” (Eph. 4:15). To edify means to “build up.” We should always be endeavoring to uplift and encourage our brethren. * “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2). What is meant by walking is a way of life.     Our way of life ought to be that of caring for and expressing love for one another. * “esteem...very highly in love” (1 Thess. 5:13). We should prefer one another and honor one another because we love one another. If we properly operate “in love” with one another, we can see some benefits, as well. * “Being knit together in love” (Col. 2:2). We will grow closer together with the special love bond we have in Christ. * “abound in love to one another” (1 Thess. 3:12). Our love will grow in intensity and be so abundant that it will literally know no bounds. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/