Be Determined to "Let Your Brotherly Love "Continue"!

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO SHOW BROTHERLY LOVE?

The simple answer is that Jehovah requires us to show brotherly love to one another. We cannot claim to love God and at the same time refuse to love our brothers.   (1 John 4:7, 20, 21) Additionally, we need one another.  This is essentially true in times of trouble. Paul knew that some of the Hebrew Christians to whom he was writing would soon need to leave their homes and material possessions. Jesus has described  how difficult that time would be.  (Mark 13:14-18; Luke 21:21-23) So more than ever before, those Christians needed to strengthen their affection for one another. -Romans 12:9.

Soon the destructive winds of the greatest tribulation of all time will be released.  (Mark 13:19; Revelation 7:1-3) Then, we will do well to heed this inspired  counsel;  "Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by."  (Isaiah 26:20)  These "inner rooms" may refer to our congregations. that is where we come together as brothers and sisters to worship Jehovah. But it is not enough for us to meet together regularly. Paul reminded the Hebrew Christians that they should use such occasions to incite one another "to love and fine works."  (Hebrews 10:24, 25)  We need to develop our brotherly love now, for it will help us during whatever tests and trials we may face in the future.

Even now, before the outbreak of the great tribulation, we have a strong need for brotherly love.  Many of our brothers have been adversely affected  by earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, or other natural disasters. Some brothers are suffering because of opposition and persecution.  (Matthew 24:6-9)  Added to all of this are the economic  woes we experience daily as a result of living in this corrupt system of things.  (Revelation 6:5, 6) As such problems increase, so do our opportunities to demonstrate the depth of our brother affection. Even though "the love of the greater number [of people] will grow cold," we need to prove that our brotherly love continues. -Matthew 24:12.

Next time: Be Determined to "Let Your Brotherly Love Continue"! -HOW CAN WE LET OUR BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE? 

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