“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.” – 1 John 3:14
One of the unmistakable marks of a life saved and transformed by God’s grace is a consistent love for fellow believers. The Christian life is never intended to be a solitary life. We’re saved through faith and called into active, deep Christian community. It’s impossible to obey many of the commands of Scripture apart from other believers in our lives. So we must practice genuine love toward other Christians.
As children of God, we should love our brothers and sisters in the faith. Even when they disappoint us. Even when they frustrate us. Even when they embarrass us. Even when we don’t particularly like them. Our ability to love others intentionally, practically, and consistently gives us assurance that we have indeed passed from the grasp of sin and death into the glorious Kingdom of Christ.
This Advent season, examine your heart. Are you full of love toward other believers or is there a trail of broken relationships? Who can’t you stand or won’t you ever talk to again? If there’s a list of fellow believers you don’t love, whom you resent or condemn, or toward whom you carry a grudge you need to work on that. You need to work on forgiving them – to God and to them directly. You need to work on loving them even when you don’t particularly like them. Make peace and pursue reconciliation. This isn’t just for their good, it’s for yours because, “whoever does not love abides in death.”