Hebrews 13:1 is made up of only four words: the four that serve as the title and theme of this article. Perhaps you have heard someone jokingly misquote the verse to read, "Let brotherly love begin." It is true that brotherly love must begin to exist before it can "continue," but the absence of such love is no joking matter.

Is it not a huge plus for the Lord’s Cause when His people have a genuine brotherly love among them? Here are a few plusses or positive things that take place when brotherly love continues to abound among the members of God’s church.

Brotherly love sends a message. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

Brotherly love hides a multitude of sins. "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

Brotherly love takes action, rather than just sit on the sideline and just talk or simply offer suggestions. "But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:17,18).

Brotherly love helps provide a healthy atmosphere because love "is kind," "envieth not," "vaunteth not itself," and "is not puffed up" (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Brotherly love presents an attractive picture to small kids and teens that observe it, including our own children and grandchildren. How can brotherly love not make a good impression on them when it can honestly be said that "the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth?" (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Brotherly love binds Christians together. Since we, as members of the church, have the same Father, we are family (Galatians 3:26,27). That means because we are "kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Romans 12:10), we hurt when our spiritual family members hurt, we share in their joys, and we seek to comfort one another (Romans 12:15; 1 Thess. 4:18).

Brotherly love causes us to be determined to handle personal conflicts properly – in the way that the Lord instructs us. Jesus says for us to "go and tell" the brother that has offended us (Matthew 18:15-17).

Brotherly love reminds us of just how wonderful heaven will be. "Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face . . ." (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Just as the apostle Paul longed to see his brethren in this life, so we look forward to being reunited with the saints of God in heaven, where we will worship Him forever and never again be separated from our faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Surely every disciple of Jesus enjoys being on the receiving end of brotherly love. But are you and I also on the giving side of such love? Do we really demonstrate genuine love toward our brethren in the Christ? "Let brotherly love continue." It pays huge dividends.

-- Roger D. Campbell