‘Brotherly Love’

Arthur Wilson

“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to Titus my brother; but taking leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” II Cor. 2:12,13; Jn. 15:1-17.

In its deepest and fullest meaning brotherly love is sadly lacking among God’s people today. Oh yes they love in word, but not in deed and truth. I Jn. 3:18. The way we love each other is one ‘thermometer’ of our spiritual growth and how much have we improved and advanced in spiritual matters.

While at Troas, during his second missionary tour, Paul had a strange experience, he couldn’t rest or settle down, not even to preaching to a city of lost souls. So he took leave of them and crossed the Agean sea to go to Macedonia where he sought the solution to his problem - “I found not my brother Titus” (v. 13). He didn’t know where Titus was whether he was dead or alive, sick or imprisoned, but he was determined to find out.

Some so called ‘soul-saving’ zealots would condemn Paul’s actions here by saying “What! leaving a city of lost souls when God had opened the door to proclaim Christ’s gospel to go and seek someone already saved.” It appears as though Paul was disobedient to God. We can straightway settle it in our minds that Paul was not disobedient to God.

Then someone may suggest that Paul should have stayed in Troas and got on with his preaching there and not troubled himself to find Titus. Love does not do that. There is more than one way of catching fish, and also a time to catch them. For Paul visited Troas on his next journey with good results. Acts 20:6-12. Which or who should have priority? Preach to the unsaved or find a brother in Christ? No doubt Paul did the RIGHT thing.

If it is a matter of choice, the essential thing is to encourage your brother in Christ and to build him up in the faith. Those who disagree with this view are putting the horse in the shafts the wrong way, for I contend that if we do not love our brother in Christ - then it follows that we do not love those outside of Christ. Thus our so called piety and love is nothing but sham and fleshly pride, in short hypocrisy. At this point I would remind you that the Head of the Church is now interceding for saints, not sinners. Heb. 7:25. This is not to suggest that Christ is not interested in saving souls, but to state where His FIRST interest lies.

PAUL DID NOT KNOW WHERE HIS BROTHER TITUS WAS. No doubt he would pray with tears,” Where is he Lord? Oh guide me to him.” Titus was a rare jewel in Paul’s crown, a gem for the Lord, a good soldier of Christ, a faithful servant. Was he worth all the trouble? Of course he was. Both sorrowing Paul and lonely Titus needed each other’s love, neither were disappointed. The Lord had appointed Titus to a tough job, taking the gospel to the rough Cretians and later to sort out the divided Corinthians. Perhaps tough and strong himself, he needed love, Paul’s special love. But couldn’t someone else have given him love? No not in the same way.

The lesson the Lord is showing us - THERE IS NO LOVE LIKE YOURS, SOMEONE NEEDS YOUR SPECIAL LOVE, THERE IS SOME PERSON THAT ONLY YOU CAN REACH AND HELP. We do to much leaving it to someone else and in this way the job never gets done. If we all get on with the job of loving one another and building up in the faith then Troas is not going to be neglected. This is how it works.

WHAT AN EFFECT FOR GOOD PAUL HAD ON TITUS. How many souls did Titus win for Christ? I venture to say many more than the population of Troas. I picture Titus as a big strong man with sterling character. These qualities were wisely guided by Paul into the Masters service. To add weight I would remind you of I Sam. 23:16-18, where prince Jonathan sought and found David in a wood, ‘to strengthen his hand in God’. The latter’s life was in danger at this time and needed love and encouragement from Jonathan. Did not David rise to heights of fame and usefulness for God that no earthly monarch has ever equalled? Sure he did.

My friend, This loving your brother business IS NO SMALL MATTER indeed, if I understand my Bible right there is MORE emphasis on it than anything else for it is the essence of Christianity. The Founder was very particular about it and even issued a command to enforce it; “This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you.” Jn. 15:12,17. Why didn’t He give a list of commands like Moses did? Answer - because Love doesn’t need them, love does no ill whatever.

Christ’s commands are not grievous, burdensome, irksome, in sharp contrast to Moses (which we are not to keep), but He also gives the enabling to do. Jn. 13:34,35. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. What a high standard, Jesus loved each of us enough to give His all, then to suffer and die for our sins. He commands us to love no less. Can we effectively witness to the unsaved if we do not love our brother in Christ? The answer is NO. We must put first things first. The main ingredient of revival is “Loving our brother in Christ” (one another). This is what right’s every wrong. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour” - our first and essential duty is to the Church, the body of Christ. If outsiders see how much that we love each other, they will want to come to share the blessings of salvation.

DID PAUL FIND HIS BROTHER TITUS? Answer - Yes, II Cor. 7:5-7, 13-16. Let it not be supposed that Paul abandoned all missionary activity whilst seeking Titus, for the whole province of Macedonia was stirred by his ardent preaching. A wonderful Assembly was founded at Philippi, through suffering and when these two finally met it was Titus who found Paul. God brought them together. Titus had already been receiving a refresher course from the Corinthian saints, II Cor. 7:13-16 and v. 6. Then they both were so delighted. Thus the fatherly sorrowing heart of Paul was healed as he was exceedingly comforted. He passed this comfort onto the Corinthians later.

LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE - Heb. 13:1.

What is love? I Cor. 13 gives the answer.

1. patience - Love suffers long.
2. kindness - love is kind.
3. generosity - love envieth not.
4. humility - love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
5. courtesy - love doth not behave itself unseemly.
6. unselfishness - love seeketh not her own.
7. good temper - love is not provoked.
8. guileless - thinketh no evil.
9. sincerity - rejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the truth.

In Gal. 5:22,23 we see the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit AMEN.