God has provided spiritual signs to alert us to our need for revival. One of the most significant of these signs is the presence or absence–of brotherly love in our lives.

Have you ever driven down a highway so caught up in your thoughts that you missed an important sign? This happened to a friend of mine when he was a college student was driving home to Massachusetts from college in northern New York state. Lost in his own world, he missed a crucial road sign and continued driving north for several hours, only realizing his mistake when he saw a sign for the Canadian border.

Just as road signs serve as important markers giving us direction on our journey, God has provided spiritual signs to alert us to our need for revival. One of the most significant of these signs is the presence-or absence–of brotherly love in our lives.

Understanding Two Kinds of Love

In the Greek language, we find two distinct words for love that help us understand this concept better.

First, there is “agapeo” – the love of choice, God’s love. This is beautifully illustrated in 1 John 4:20-21, which states, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

Then there is “phileo” – a warm-hearted affection. Brotherly love creates an atmosphere within a body of believers where there is a natural attraction to one another, based on a mutual passion to know and obey Christ. This atmosphere is nurtured through service, earnestness, joyfulness, prayerfulness, and generosity, as outlined in Romans 12:9-13:

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

The Nature of Brotherly Love

Brotherly love manifests in two primary forms: affection based on natural attraction and affection based on spiritual attraction.

Natural Attraction

The natural attraction, or “philo-storgos,” refers to the kindly affection one has for kindred, especially parents or children. We love each other because we are like each other (family) or we like each other (friends). This kind of love often develops through shared experiences, personalities, or interests.

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