Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue. Brotherly love is very apt to be impaired if we do not endeavour continually to preserve it. It is a part of the wisdom of faith to consider aright the occasions of the decay of mutual love, and the means of its preservation. Without this we cannot comply with this caution and injunction in a due manner. I. The CAUSES OF THE DECAY OF THIS LOVE, whence it doth not continue as it ought, are — 1. Self-love. 2. Love of this present world. 3. Abounding of lusts in the hearts of men. 4. Ignorance of the true nature, both of the grace and the exercise of it, in its proper duties. 5. Principally, the loss of a concernment in the foundation of it, which is an interest in gratuitous adoption, and the participation of the same spirit, the same new nature and life. Where this is not, though conviction of truth and the profession of it may for a season make an appearance of this brotherly love, it will not long continue. II. THE OCCASIONS OF ITS DECAY AND LOSS ARE — 1. Differences in opinion and practice about things in religion. 2. Unsuitableness of natural tempers and inclinations. 3. Readiness to receive a sense of appearing provocations. 4. Different, and sometimes inconsistent secular interests. 5. An abuse of spiritual gifts, by pride on the one hand, or envy on the other. 6. Attempts for domination, inconsistent in a fraternity; which are all to be watched against. III. THE MEANS OF ITS CONTINUANCE OR PRESERVATION ARE — 1. An endeavour to grow and thrive in the principle of it, or the power of adopting grace. 2. A due sense of the weight or moment of this duty, from the especial institution and command of Christ. 3. Of the trial which is committed thereunto, of the sincerity of our grace, and the truth of our sanctification. For "by this we know that we are passed from death unto life." 4. A due consideration of the use, yea, necessity of this duty to the glory of God, and edification of the Church; and — 5. Of that breach of union, loss of peace, disorder and confusion, which must and will ensue on the neglect of it. 6. Constant watchfulness against all those vicious habits of mind, in self-love, or love of the world, which are apt to impair it. 7. Diligent heed that it be not insensibly impaired in its vital acts; such as are patience, forbearance, readiness to forgive, unaptness to believe evil, without which no other duties of it will be long continued. 8. Fervent prayer for supplies of grace enabling us thereunto, with sundry others of a like nature. And if we judge not this duty of such importance as to be constant in the use of these means for the maintenance of it, it will not continue. (John Owen, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let brotherly love continue. |
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