# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S27
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1914. 27

at all times pursue what is good, both toward one another and toward everyone." (1 Thess. 5:14, 15.) — Persistent sinners, however, the brothers avoid. "I exhort you, brethren, that you mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them." (Rom. 16:17.) "We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly." (2 Thess. 3:6; cf. 1 Cor. 5:9, 11–13.)

How far does love toward the brothers extend? Where are the limits of its activity? Love shrinks from no sacrifice. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16.) Paul declares: "I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:3), if he could thereby have saved them. Moses made a similar plea for his brothers, the children of Israel. (Ex. 32:32.)

The love of the brothers also has great practical significance, first of all for the loving brother himself. From the fact that brotherly love stirs in him he can gather that he belongs to the brotherhood and is a Christian. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death." (1 John 3:14.) "He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him." (1 John 2:10; cf. 1 John 2:11; 3:10, 15, 19; John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10, 12, 14, 17.) — The significance of brotherly love is also for the neighbor, that he too perceives the brotherhood and praises God. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:35.) "Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples." (John 15:8.) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16.)

Finally: "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (2 Cor. 13:11.)

17. Soldiers of Jesus Christ.
(2 Tim. 2:3.)

Where are the soldiers of Jesus Christ recruited from? To be carnally minded is enmity against God. As we are by nature, born sinners, we are worse than enemies; we are traitors, rebels, conspirators. "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his anointed: Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us!" (Ps. 2:2, 3.) Christ said: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who