It seems every Bible teacher in the world is either teaching or wondering if these really are the last days and Jesus will soon return.

However, there is one “birth pang” not on the prophetic calendar as it should have been all along, that is Brotherly Love. I fear it has been missing for so long in so many places that we will be shocked and embarrassed by our spiritual nakedness.

This is not an indictment but a cry from God’s heart. He misses the family affair atmosphere that fueled the lives of early believers. In their Hebrew Bible, they read stories such as Ruth and Naomi, and David and Jonathan who were willing to lay down their lives for each other. That is the kind of love that awakened the church and drew in the Gentiles to want the same.

When we say brothers and sisters, God sees His sons and daughters. Can you imagine, or maybe have already experienced, the pain of a father when his children are estranged?

Brotherly love is not a suggestion. It is central theme. We should not be surprised if Jesus does not appear on our timetable. He will return, that is certain, but He has skipped many generations until now.

The ball is now in our court to hasten His appearance, or He will wait for the next generation and the next, in tears.

If you agree, then renew your commitment and start your journey from disbelief to loving obedience.

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Brotherly Love is like a passport. It comes with citizen rights and responsibilities. As citizens of the Kingdom, God expects us to utilize it. He can rightfully do so because Jesus paid the price for love to function as it should in His kingdom.

In the Hebrew Bible, brotherly love is often difficult to locate. Instead of judging the sons of Jacob for their lack of brotherly love, in this episode, we will move forward to the New Testament and see how things turned out since then.

Brotherly Love is not a Suggestion

As followers of Yeshua, we keep our focus upon Him for instruction and direction. We study, we sing songs and we pray. We say “It’s all about You, Jesus,” but is that an accurate description of what it means to be His disciple?

On His last night on Earth following the Passover Meal, His Last Supper, in an intimate moment with His disciples, Yeshua shared these words with His closest friends;

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Forgive me for stepping on toes, but He did not say to “love on one another.” Love is not a task, it is the representation of the invisible God at work in people who represent Him. His disciples were appointed to the most important position in the affairs of mankind. When Jesus died, He made love possible and accessible for those who believe. We who believe are responsible to see this through in our generation. God help us if we do not take this to heart in our daily lives.

To avoid future confusion, Yeshua added this;

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

As we continue our journey from Jacob, the absence of brotherly love becomes increasingly evident. The need for divine assistance to reflect God’s image grows greater with each generation and the longing for His help begins to yearn in the hearts and lives of the broken.

Has this generation been exposed to the Brotherly Love that Jesus purchased? If Jesus commanded us, we can do it!

It is our duty and honor, not a suggestion.