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Manifesting genuine love towards all of our brethren is an essential element in every Christian's life. 1 John 3:14 tells us, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death."
This refers to the spiritual death. The place of our eternal rest will be decided based upon whether we have wholeheartedly shown love toward all of our brethren. Without love, we will be condemned for eternity. On the other hand, the Lord will surely reserve a place for us in His heavenly kingdom if we are able to truly love our brethren.
But what is this love? In order to love in truth, it is necessary to understand the meaning of love from the viewpoint of the Bible. God has provided us with a clear definition of love and tells us how we should love:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. (1 Cor 13:4-8) Beloved brothers and sisters, do you truly manifest all of these qualities in the way you love others? Let us examine ourselves today. Search within yourself to see whether you are keeping the Lord's commandment of "loving one another." In God’s eyes, do you truly love your brethren?
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