1 Peter 1:22 KJV
[22] “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
Peter has talked about holiness in the life of believers, and now he wants to talk about the harmony in their lives. We are to love our brothers in Christ with spiritual and sincere love. Our love is to be unfeigned, meaning it is to be genuine. Our love should come from a pure heart.
The word fervently is an athletic term meaning “striving with all of one’s energy.” That is how we are to express love toward our brothers in Christ. The motive of brotherly love should be to give and not to get. It does not allow strife and contention among the saints and builds unity within the congregation. It amazes me how some people will cause division by going from person to person in the church while claiming they love the brethren. We need to listen to what people say and what they do not say.
Dear reader, be careful not to allow someone to become your friend in the church and poison your mind, causing bitterness in your heart toward other members of the flock. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion as a pastor. One person will befriend another member and begin to talk about others in the church. They will share issues they are having with them or reveal things about them, and all of a sudden, it changes the way the other member thinks, not realizing they have just consumed a cupful of bitterness handed to them by a so-called friend. Now, when they look at people in the church, they see them differently. They can’t enjoy members like they used to because someone with a charming personality and quick wit has poisoned their minds.
Since you are to enjoy God’s people and accept their imperfections, how do you overcome this horrible place in your life? First, ask the Lord to forgive you and help you to love the brethren. Second, you have to distance yourself from the so-called friend. Third, practice love toward those you have issues with by showing kindness to them without expecting anything in return. Finally, remember that God loves every family member equally, and so should we as His children. I’m thankful He has no favorites, but He makes each one of us feel as though we are His only child.