Love to All the Saints

Scripture is most decisive about this, for not only does John write his first epistle in order that those who believe on the name of the Son of God may know that they have eternal life, but he further declares that "we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." When this love to God's children is wanting, the person is pronounced to be destitute of vital Christianity, however loud his profession may be, and however extensive his Bible knowledge. It is added, "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." 1 John 3:14.
This point was also of such great importance with the Apostle Paul that we find the principle on which he accredited persons as being "in Christ" was not because they professedly believed in Christ, but because he also heard of their "love to all the saints," and their "love in the Spirit." He knew how easy it was to say "I believe in Jesus," as many do now, but until he heard of love flowing out to all saints, how could he recognize them as having eternal life? Therefore on one occasion we find him teaching that whatever a man did, or whatever he said, if love were wanting, he was only "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Cor. 13:1.