Loving the Brethren

1Jn 3:11  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

John goes out of his way to emphasize that fact that we are to love our brothers and sisters (brethren) in Christ, in fact he goes as far as to say that we to must lay down our lives for the brethren. What does this really mean? I believe that there may come a time where we will be put in a position to actually lay down our lives for the brethren much like Jesus did for us.

In a greater sense, I believe it means that we need to consider the brother or sister and see how they are doing. Are they hurting or sick? We can  help them by praying for them and also by just being with them to let them know that they are not alone. Are they lonely? Can we not just be a friend to them and spend some time with them. Are they in need? We can help them financially if we are able, or we can share what we have with them. Are they feeling down and sad? We can encourage them.

You will likely have noticed in the last paragraph that I keep saying "we". The reason for this is that I find this to be the hardest thing to do for people. No, its not that I don't like these people. In fact I would love to see them all prosper in all the things that God has laid up for them. Its the fact that I never know what to do or say to people. I know that in the past I have shared something personal with friends and family and they have responded in a manner that hurt me. The result of this is that I don't very often share with others in case it happens again. I also have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth and because of this problems can occur (I think this is the result of watching every word I say and trying not to say the wrong thing). My answer to this was to be quiet around people and let them do the talking. The end result is that people find it hard to talk to me and at times I end up on the sidelines and not in the game.

Are you in the same boat that I am in this regard? In Mat 16:24  Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." To take up your cross and follow Jesus is to die to yourself. What God is asking here is for me to look to him in my weakness and to ask him for the Holy Spirit to guide me in what I say and do. Lets do this together, lets get out of the boat and have faith in our heavenly father to turn this weakness to his glory. We can have faith in God because John tells us in 1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.