June - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
June - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
June - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
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Bro<strong>the</strong>rly Love. 45or selfish interests enter into it <strong>the</strong>se are condemned by <strong>the</strong>warning: "For <strong>the</strong> wrath <strong>of</strong> man worketh not <strong>the</strong> righteousness<strong>of</strong> God" (James i. 20).3. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fruits <strong>of</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rly love. 'Vhere true bro<strong>the</strong>rlylove is it will not gloat with glee over difficulties that maybeset a bro<strong>the</strong>r in this world. Such a spirit shows too plainlyits origin and <strong>the</strong> place from whence it came. Love will nottake advantage, like <strong>the</strong> world, to strike a blow when a suitableoccasion arises for love worketh no ill to his neighbour (Roms.xiii. 10). It is willing to forgive injuries but it does notarrogate to itself <strong>the</strong> right to forgive sin, that belongs to Godand to God alone. As an illustration <strong>of</strong> what bro<strong>the</strong>rly love cando <strong>the</strong> following story may be told. A :M:aori who had beenconverted was present at a service where <strong>the</strong> Lord's Supperwas administered. The communicants had taken <strong>the</strong>ir placesat <strong>the</strong> Table, he with <strong>the</strong> rest, when he noticed that <strong>the</strong> personsitting at <strong>the</strong> Table beside him was <strong>the</strong> man who killed his fa<strong>the</strong>rin <strong>the</strong>ir hea<strong>the</strong>n days. The blood lust was so strong that <strong>the</strong>Maori rose from <strong>the</strong> Table vowing vengeance in his heart againsthis tribesman. In his hot temper he was making away from<strong>the</strong> service when <strong>the</strong>se words fell with commanding effect uponhis heart: "Hereby shall all men know that ye are my disciplesif ye keep my commandments." The words fell like oil on<strong>the</strong> troubled sea <strong>of</strong> his revengeful feelings and he returned to<strong>the</strong> service and sat down beside <strong>the</strong> man who had so cruellyinjured him but who was now a follower <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord JesusChrist! Bro<strong>the</strong>rly love is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fruits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Spiritand like all <strong>the</strong> Spirit's fruits it is very beautiful and adorns<strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> all those who exercise it.To reprove a bro<strong>the</strong>r is like as when he has fallen to lift himup again; when he hath broken a bone to help set it; when heis fallen into <strong>the</strong> fire to pluck him out.-Mat<strong>the</strong>w Henry.:F: