When the heart is in communion with God, affection flows out freely towards those who are dear to Him and who, sharing the same nature, necessarily draw out the affections of the spiritual heart; brotherly love is developed.
Love
There is another principle which crowns and governs and gives character to all others; it is sometimes called charity, but it is properly called love. This is its root, the nature of God Himself — the source and perfection of every other quality that adorns Christian life. The distinction between love and brotherly love is of deep importance; the former is indeed, as we have just said, the source whence the latter flows. But as this brotherly love exists in mortal men, it may be mingled in its exercise with sentiments that are merely human — with individual affection, with the effect of personal attractions, or that of habit, of suitability in natural character. Nothing is sweeter than brotherly affections; their maintenance is of the highest importance in the church, but they may degenerate, as they may grow cool, and if the love of God does not hold the chief place, they may displace Him or shut Him out. Divine love, which is the very nature of God, directs, rules and gives character to brotherly love; otherwise, it is that which pleases us, that is, our own heart that governs us.
If divine love governs me, I love all my brethren. I love them because they belong to Christ; there is no partiality. I shall have greater enjoyment in a spiritual brother, but I shall occupy myself about my weak brother, with a love that rises above his weakness and has tender consideration for it. I shall concern myself with my brother’s sin, from love to God, in order to restore my brother, rebuking him, if needful. Moreover, if divine love is in exercise, can brotherly love be associated with disobedience? God will have His place in all my relationships. To display brotherly love in such a manner as to shut out the requirements of that which God is is to shut out God in the most plausible way, in order to gratify our own hearts.
Divine love acts according to the nature, character and will of God, and it is that which ought to direct and characterize our whole Christian walk and have authority over every movement of our hearts.
Governing Factors
The universality of this love with regard to all the children of God and its exercise in practical obedience to His will are the marks of true brotherly love. That which has not these marks is a mere carnal, party spirit, clothing itself with the name and the forms of brotherly love. Most certainly I do not love the Father, if I encourage His children in disobedience to Him.
Moreover, the semblance of love which does not maintain the truth, but accommodates itself to that which is not the truth, is not love according to God. It is a form of taking advantage of the name of love in order to promote the seductions of Satan.
In the last days, the test of true love is the maintenance of the truth. God would have us love one another, but the Holy Spirit, by whose power we receive this divine nature and who pours the love of God into our hearts, is the Spirit of truth, and His office is to glorify Christ.
The Remembrancer (adapted)