February 28

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 1 John 3:11.

LOVE is the leading characteristic of the Gospel, and the fulfilling of the law. If love to God is the essence of religion, love to the brethren is the evidence of it. We shall make and answer two inquiries, in the explanation of these words.

WHAT IS THE CHANGE HERE REFERRED TO? It is conversion. Various figures are employed in order to set it forth. Here it is styled a passing from death unto life. Notice

The affecting condition from which they are delivered — "death." It is a spiritual death. There are no symptoms of life, no principles of life, and no desires after life. The sinner is in the grave of the natural state, and hastening to the second death.

The delightful state into which they are introduced — "life." It consists in the illumination of the mind, the renewing of the heart, and the reformation of the life, in devotedness to God, and communion with him. This communion is spiritual in its nature, delightful in its enjoyment, and divine in its effects. This life is associated with dignity, connected with the highest satisfaction, progressive in its tendency, and shall be crowned with eternal glory.

The peculiar manner in which it is effected. Believers are here said to pass from death unto life. But is it their own act? No. Such a change is the effect of the Spirit's agency. He infuses the principles of life into the soul. What a happy transition! Have we experienced it? This leads us to the other inquiry —

HOW MAY WE ASCERTAIN THAT WE ARE THE SUBJECTS OF IT? There are many ways by which this may be discovered in our experience, but the evidence mentioned in our text is of a practical tendency; "Because we love the brethren." Observe

The objects of this love. "The brethren." By this term we may understand generally all mankind, but especially believers. They are the brethren in Christ, having the same origin, nature, privileges, and destinies.

The manner in which it is to be evinced. Not in word only, but in deed. By feeling interested in their welfare, by delighting in their society, by rejoicing in their prosperity, by sympathizing with them in their sorrows, and by remembering them in our prayers. We are not only to love them, as they are creatures formed by God's power, but as Christians renewed by his grace.