Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NIV)
Love is part of the elements of the fruit of the spirit. Paul gives it such importance in the Christian life that he wrote an entire chapter of it (See 1 Corinthians 13). A brief summary of this chapter would say, One can possess all knowledge, do the greatest good possible for others, give much attention to the poor, spend time in prayer and in the word of God, if he does not have love, all of this is useless.
The love referred to here is not the feeling or emotion that leads us to love someone, rather it is a decision of the heart to love others despite their flaws and attitudes that displease us. It is this love that the Thessalonians live within their assembly. But, they didn't do it alone, they had divine intervention to make it possible in their heart. Loving by emotion loses its strength when the other insults or hurts us.
When you are wronged by a brother in faith, before reacting in anger, think about the commandment of Christ who told us to love our enemy. If you come to love your enemy, it is not a brother's mistake that will change your love for him. Remember that when God commands us to do something, He always has a plan to help us accomplish it. And, as love comes from God, ask him to teach you to love your neighbor as He loves you.
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