1 John 2:10-11, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (*John 13:34-35) John 13:34, ... Love one another. The Christian is commanded to love, in a greater and special way, all true Christians, whether or not they are members of ones own church or followers of ones particular theological persuasion. (1) Believers must distinguish true Christians from those whose profession is false by examining their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ and their loyalty to Gods holy Word (John 5:24; 8:31; 10:27; Matt 7:21; *Gal 1:9). (2) Any person who possesses a living #faith in Jesus CVhrist and remains loyal to Gods inspired and inerrant Word as he or she sincerely understands it, while standing against the prevailing popular spirit of our day, is my brother or sister in Jesus Christ and one who deserves my special love and support. (3) Loving all true Christians, including those who are not of our church, does not mean that we must compromise or accommodate our particular Biblical beliefs or doctrinal differences. Nor does it mean we must necessarily seek organizational unity. (4) Christians must never compromise Gods holiness. Love for God and His will as revealed in His Word must control and direct our love for others. Love for God must always be first (*Matt 22:37,39). John 13:35 ... Know that ye are my disciples. Love (Gk agape) must be the distinguishing mark of the followers of Jesus Christ (1John 3:23; 4:7-21). This agape love is basically a self-giving and sacrificial love that seeks the good of another (1John 4:9-10). Thus, the relationship amomg all believers must be characterized by a devoted concern that sacrificially seeks to promote the highest good of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Christians must befriend each other in trials, be careful of each others feelings and reputation, and deny themselves to promote each others welfare (1Cor 13; Gal 6:2; 1Thess 4:9; 2Thess 1:3; 1Peter 1:22; 2Peter1:7; 1John 3:23).
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:24:37 +0000
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