Brotherly love, Pt2

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

Sermon notes 

Studies in First Thessalonians #21 & 22: Living in the light of Christ’s return – Brotherly love, Pts 1 & 2

This chapter deals with practical considerations arising out of a knowledge of what God’s word teaches about Christ’s return. The chapter is introduced, 3:13; and closes, v13-18, with references to the Saviour’s coming again.

Living in the light of Christ’s return affects every part of our life and behaviour. The first section of this chapter, v1-8, speaks of how it affects our walk before God. Anticipating Christ’s return will produce holiness of character and conduct that we might be useful in the service of God.

Walking in the light of Christ’s return before God will also affect our walk with reference to our fellow man. Cp v6, 9-12. Our behaviour toward men is always impacted by our behaviour toward God. This principle is seen in the division of the Moral Law. Brotherly love is an important aspect of the sanctified life that is urged in view of Christ coming again.

I  A DIVINE INSTINCT.

1. God teaches His people. It is the privilege of the Christian to know the mind of God. Paul seems to indicate here a direct work of enlightenment in the heart of the Christian by the Lord. Cp Matt 13:11, 16:17. There is an experience of God’s instruction on a personal level that we should strive for. This is the ministry of the Spirit, John 16:13. Many Christians do not know what they ought because they spend little time with the Lord.
2. He teaches them especially to love one another. Cp John 13:34-35, 1 John 5:1-2. True Christian love is a product of Divine instruction. This love is therefore going to be in strict accordance with the revealed mind of God in Scripture. Such love is evidence of having been born again and being a disciple of Christ—disciple = ‘learner’! God teaches us to love Him and our fellow man by teaching us to keep His commandments. Gospel obedience of the Law—an obedience that looks in love to Christ’s perfect satisfaction of the law—is the expression of Christian love. Cp Rom 13:8-10, 14, John 15:17—a summary command of all duty.
3. Being taught of God Paul did not have to labour this point. There are things that the gospel minister should hardly have to mention if God’s people are growing in grace! He does mention this matter of brotherly love but only in a very simple and concise way. The work of instruction has been done by the Lord.

II  THE NEED TO ABOUND IN THIS GRACE.

1. He recognizes a high level of love already. The love of these saints had spread far and wide through their entire region. They were already practicing what they had been taught of God. They were living in that way!
2. The need to develop this grace. The implication is a duty to spend more time being taught by the Lord. Love needs work to grow. While love is a voluntary expression of the heart; it is also true that it is the product of work and effort. Cp Heb 10:24-25. How do we cause our love to abound? Christian love is fuelled by a knowledge and consideration of Christ’s love to us. It is always reciprocal, 1 John 4:10-11, 19. Learning of this subject under Divine instruction, and in the light of Christ’s coming again, will cause our love to abound.
3. An earnest plea. Parakaleo again appears here. A Spirit-filled exhortation. He pleads with them, desiring to help forward their Christian life. Notice that he refers to them as brethren in this context! He is practicing the very love he is urging upon them.

III  FEATURES OF BROTHERLY LOVE SPECIALLY HIGHLIGHTED.

1. Quietness. A restful, quiet, calm spirit is in view here, > to keep one’s seat. This is specially seen in the context of behaviour toward a brother. This is the opposite of a busy-body, inferring spirit. Cp 2 Thess 3:11. The word study has the idea of one who is seeking honour. It is an honourable thing that the Apostle has in view here. Something that we should set our hearts upon, seeing it as a ‘promotion’, and diligently pursue it.
2. Attend to our own affairs. It seems that a careless, lazy spirit had broken out in this church, 2 Thess 3:11. A diligent work ethic is a manifestation of brotherly love. It prevents us being an unnecessary burden to others! Cp 1 Tim 5:8. This kind of diligent work ensures that we will have need of nothing. There is a self-sufficiency that we should strive for.
3. Live to have a good testimony to the ungodly. Those without are those outside the church. It is an act of love to sinners to maintain such a witness before them.

These practical rules of daily life are pressed upon the Christian by the fact that Jesus is coming again and we will give account to Him.