J.C. Ryle on ‘The Love of the Brethren’ as a Mark of Righteousness

Going a little further in Ryle’s Knots Untied, this is what the good Bishop had to say about the next mark of regeneration, “love of the brethren”:

Fourthly, John says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”-I John 3:14.

A man born again, or regenerate, then, has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who are of one mind with himself. Like his Lord and Savior, he loves the worst of sinners, and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company. He is never so happy as when he is among the saints and the excellent of the earth. Others may value learning, or cleverness, or agreeableness, or riches or rank, in the society they choose. The regenerate man values Grace. Those who have most Grace, and are most like Christ, are those he most loves. He feels that they are members of the same family with himself. He feels that they are his fellow-soldiers, warring against the same enemy. He feels that they are his fellow-travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. He and they may be very different in many ways-in rank, in station, in wealth. What matter? They are Jesus Christ’s people. They are his Father’s sons and daughters. Then he cannot help loving them.

I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle say about you? Are you born again?

The next mark of regeneration, according to Ryle: overcoming the world.

This post originally appeared at the Prydain website. It is republished here with Will Prydain’s permission.