Why is the concept of loving brethren important for Christians?

The importance of loving one another is highlighted in 1 John 4:7-11, where it states that love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. This love is not merely an obligation but is the natural outflow of Christ dwelling in the believer. When Christians love one another, they manifest God's character, which is love itself. Furthermore, such love serves as a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative reality of the Gospel. It reinforces the unity of the body of Christ and encourages the church to reflect the nature of God.