Christians know we are supposed to love one another. Christians know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. The world will know we are Jesus Christ’s disciples by our love for each other. But, if a man hates his brother, it’s easy to excuse himself by asking, “Who is my brother?”
We love25 him, because he first loved25 us. (1 John 4:19)
25 agapáō – properly, to prefer, to love; for the believer, preferring to “live through Christ” (1 Jn 4:9,10), i.e. embracing God’s will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. 25 (agapáō) preeminently refers to what God prefers as He “is love” (1 Jn 4:8,16). See 26 (agapē).
With the believer, 25 /agapáō (“to love”) means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction). True 25 /agapáō (“loving”) is always defined by God – a “discriminating affection which involves choice and selection” (WS, 477). 1 Jn 4:8,16,17 for example convey how loving (“preferring,” 25 /agapáō) is Christ living His life through the believer. –HELPS™Word-studies
If a man say, I love25 God, and hateth3404 his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth25 not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love25 God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)
3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.
[Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō) which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.] –HELPS™Word-studies
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth25 God love25 his brother also. (1 John 4:21)
And, who is my brother? (Luke 10)
If I may paraphrase the account in Luke 10, with a scenario of a religious man who asked, “How can I know I have eternal life?” He was answered, “What does the Bible say?” The man answered, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. (1 John 3:14)” That’s right, do that and you will know you have eternal life. But, the man wanting to justify his question asked, “Who is my brother?”
Consider this modern parable. A man went for a walk in his neighborhood. On the way, terrorists stripped him, beat him, and left him for dead. By chance a pastor was traveling along the same road. When he saw the man, he went around him and continued on his way. Then a priest came to the same place. When he saw the man, he, too, went around him and continued on his way. Likewise a minister. But a nominal, immature, unchurched Christian man also on a walk, saw him, and he felt sorry for the man, went to him, and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. He got his own car and drove him to the hospital, and took care of him. Since the man did not have insurance, the simple Christian paid for his bills.
Of these men, who do you think was a brother of the man who was attacked by terrorists? The answer is the man who had compassion on him. Go and imitate his behavior.
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love25 each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:18-20)
Allow me to elaborate and explain a little more. A brother is anyone who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Regardless of their religious affiliation. Regardless of their doctrine. Regardless of their background. Regardless of their lifestyle. Regardless of their maturity. And, God wants you to love them as much as you love him. Period. Or else…