Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Let he who loves God also love his brother (1 John 4:21).
Just as a doctor can tell how his patient's heart is by seeing whether his pulse is weak or strong, we can also tell how our love for Jehovah is by looking at how strong our love for others is. If we notice that our love for our brothers and sisters has weakened, perhaps our love for Jehovah has also weakened. But if we make a habit of showing our brothers and sisters that we love them, it indicates that our love for Jehovah is strong. Why should we worry if our love for our brothers has weakened? Because that would mean that our friendship with Jehovah is in danger. This is clearly demonstrated by the words of the apostle John: “He who does not love his brother, whom he sees, cannot love God, whom he does not see” (1 John 4:20). The lesson? We will please Jehovah only if we love one another. (1 John 4:7-9, 11) w23.11 8 para. 3; 9 paras. 5, 6.
What reasons do we have to love each other?
Why is it important to love each other? Among other reasons, because by doing so we demonstrate that we are true Christians. Jesus told his apostles: “In this way everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Plus, love keeps us together. Paul rightly said that “it is a perfect bond of union” (Col. 3:14). And there is another important reason why we should love each other. The apostle John wrote to his fellow Christians: “Let him who loves God love his brother also” (1 John 4:21). So, by showing love to our brothers, we also show our love to Jehovah.
Give an example that demonstrates the relationship between love for God and love for our brothers.
What relationship is there between love for God and love for our brothers? To understand it, let's think about the relationship between the heart and other parts of the body. A doctor can get an idea of what his patient's heart is doing by checking the pulse on his wrist. What does this example teach us?
Just as a doctor can tell how his patient's heart is by seeing whether his pulse is weak or strong, we can also tell how our love for Jehovah is by looking at how strong our love for others is. If we notice that our love for our brothers and sisters has weakened, perhaps our love for Jehovah has also weakened. But if we make a habit of showing our brothers and sisters that we love them, it indicates that our love for Jehovah is strong.
Why should we worry if our love for our brothers has weakened? (1 John 4:7-9, 11).
Why should we worry if our love for our brothers has weakened? Because that would mean that our friendship with Jehovah is in danger. This is clearly demonstrated by the words of the apostle John: “He who does not love his brother, whom he sees, cannot love God, whom he does not see” (1 John 4:20). The lesson? We will please Jehovah only if we love one another. (Read 1 John 4:7-9, 11.)
In what ways can we show that we love each other?
In the Bible we find this commandment many times: “Love one another” (John 15:12, 17; Rom. 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 4:11). But love is a feeling that grows in the heart; no one can see it. So how can we externalize that feeling so that others can see what is in our hearts? Through our words and actions.
There are many ways to show our brothers that we love them. The Bible gives us some examples. They must “tell the truth to one another” (Zech. 8:16). “Keep peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). “Take the initiative to honor one another” (Rom. 12:10). “Welcome one another gladly” (Rom. 15:7). “Keep on forgiving each other” (Col. 3:13). “Continue to carry each other's burdens” (Gal. 6:2). “Continue to comfort yourselves” (1 Thes. 4:18). “Continue to build yourselves” (1 Thes. 5:11). “Pray for one another” (James 5:16).
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