Who Are the Brethren? by George B. Starr

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 22

Who Are the Brethren?

By George B. Starr

BY ELD. GEO. B. STARR.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14. But who are the brethren? whom shall I love, that I may enjoy the comfort of this text? Spiritualists might say, We know, by this rule, that we have passed from death unto life; for we love those who believe as we do, and have fellowship with them as we do with no others. Mormons may say the same; and so, in fact, every denomination of all the different sects.

Thus it will be seen that this text could be used by the adversary to deceive us, and that while loving the children of the devil, we might be congratulating ourselves that we had passed from death unto life. But to the important question, “How shall we know that we love the right people, the people of God?” The apostle has not left us without an answer,—“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” Chap. 5:2, 3. God’s children do now keep and always have kept the commandments—according to the best light they have had. So the apostle could assure us that “he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Chap. 2:4. Such a one is not a disciple, and our love to him is no evidence of our being disciples. So God, by the same rule, points the scattered flock in the last days to his people: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. We may have no fears in loving such persons, but may rejoice that our hearts have been so changed as now to love God’s commandments, and those who keep them.