FOR THE LOVE OF THE BRETHREN

Romans 5:8

our perfect example

 

Have you ever wondered why there are SO many scriptures on loving the brethren? (that's our fellow Christian brother's and sisters) I John 3:11 "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."The answer is simple...because there was and still is such a problem with it in our church today! God knew what was coming, He knew we would have problems with things like selfishness and jealousy
I John 3:12 - "Do not be like Cain who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous."  and greed and the like; things that cause us to treat our fellow family members in Christ so badly sometimes; OFTEN in some cases! Take the time to read the whole passage in I John 3:11-24. It paints a picture of what it is SUPPOSED to be as we love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There was a man in my grandfather's congregation that stole his car one day and disappeared. This was a man that my grandfather was helping by letting him borrow his car. The other man took it and just left. It was a tough time financially in my family; as was all around in those days (sound familiar to our current days...but I digress). That was horrible. A Christian brother steals from you? Well, time passed, and believe it or not, one day the man returned to my grandfather and gave him a very "sincere" apology for stealing his car. This man described that his family was in trouble and he said he was so very sorry...he asked for forgiveness...and then...turned around and got BACK in my grandparents car and drove away! WOW...We are commanded, in I Peter 1:22  "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart." I can't say I KNOW what was in this man's heart...I can only make an application that from what we know of sincerity it didn't seem a sincere apology as the offense was NOT rectified. THE CAR WASN'T RETURNED as part of the act of being sorry. My grandfather?...he forgave...that was for him (I believe from what I've learned)...holding anger and resentment isn't good for us, and God knows it...the man?...that is up to God...he disappeared, so that was all that could be done in that situation!

How many of us are guilty of making what would be construed as an INSINCERE apology? (that's called a lie my friends) Is it even an apology? Or is it just mere words that sound good for the moment? The whole thing about loving each other sincerely is to BE SINCERE. IF we offend our brother, in order to keep what God asked us to do, MAKE IT RIGHT...MAKE IT REALLY RIGHT. sigh...we know this! Saying you are sorry is only PART ONE of making things right. The anatomy of a good apology is to 1. go to the person and admit what you did and say you are sorry (that's called accountability), 2.  say WHY it was wrong (acknowledging that you understand WHAT you did to the person you wronged, and then say 3. WHAT you are going to do to make it right...and then 4. DO THAT. This is how we love each other sincerely! The man who stole from his brother was not sincere, he was not in the right in that he didn't follow through.

We have ALL been guilty at one time or another of not loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our selfish, jealous, greedy, self important selves get in the way, but it is not an excuse...we are not free to continue. Romans 6:1 - "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?" NO, we know that...we are to MAKE IT RIGHT! We should all be embarrassed when we hear the excuse so many offer for those who are not loving the way they should "That's just the way they are". What is that? There are no excuses for bad behavior, there is only the obligation we have to each other. I'm lead back to Matthew 18:15...read it folks...it is OUR responsibility to our brother. Yes, we have commandments too. Are we servants to each other? Do we encourage each other? Do we live in unity? Each person is responsible for his or her own behavior, are we listening to what God asked of us, or are we taking care of US at the expense of another person in our church family? You do not know how far and long damage goes in a person who needs love when you do NOT correct your sin! Do not be the one who God will call you to account for sin against your brother you did not correct when we are all called to our judgement! We have consequences for our behavior my brothers and sisters. Read Matthew 7:2 - "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Scary!!

The church is at war with sin. There are horrible, hurtful, dangerous things out there that we are supposed to have EACH other to help us navigate this life...WHAT ARE WE DOING TO EACH OTHER? WHY are we making it harder to go out and fight the evil in this world? We have a job here in this world to find and help as many as we possibly can come to God so they can have an eternal salvation. How much harder to we make it for each other when so much backbiting and gossip and hating and ugliness exist within our own family of God? Galatians 5:17 - "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

Take some time to read a bit about what God expects us in our love of the brethren. BE HONEST with yourself, let yourself hop in the fire and be made stronger, more like Christ. We ALL need to reflect on our own sins and mistakes and CORRECT them for the good of unity. STOP making excuses for yourselves and others who are at fault...STAND UP and be courageous...STOP and learn...this is for us ALL....for no one is free of guilt...we are ALL in this together...wouldn't it be better if we were unified in LOVE instead of these character traits that are from satan?

 

 

Romans 12:10 - love each other with GENUINE affection. Galatians 5:13 - serve one another humbly in love.  Romans 14:15 - act out of love for your brother if they are distressed about a freedom you have.  and the same principle in I Corinthians 8:13.  Romans 13:7 - give everyone what you owe them. Phil 2:3 - do nothing from selfishness...value others above yourself.  I Thes. 4:9 - you are taught by God to love each other.  Hebrews 13:1 - keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.  I Peter 1:22 - Obey the truth so you have sincere love of the brethren.  I Peter 2:17 - show proper respect.  II Peter 1:7 - and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.  I John 2:10 - if you love your brother you live in the light.   And on, and on, and on. There is much more...study, learn, correct YOURSELF, love each other...without it we are not OK with each other or God.

 

We are in this world together...If you see your brother or sister struggling and they ask for prayer, DO IT and then TELL THEM you've done it...otherwise they are left feeling alone!!... Let's love each other my brothers and sisters; show it, DO IT...we all need it!!

 

GOD BLESS!



TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

WHAT DO OUR HEARTS NEED AND WHAT DO THEY WANT? Is there a difference? WOW, it's just after 5:30 a.m. and I've posed a HUGE question...why on earth did I do that? AARRGGHH!  Well, I wanna know...and I hope I can help someone else as I figure it out...ok, at least I can answer myself a little...let's take a look at the heart...our hearts...I can say for myself that I want to be loved, I want to love, I want to be gentle in my attitude and actions towards myself and others, I want to serve God, I want to be healthy (the physical heart), I want to be kind, I want to be treated kindly, I want to be able to express myself honestly and not be afraid of being hurt...OK, there's a list...NOW, is there anything wrong with NEEDING those things as well? WHAT ON EARTH SAUNDRA??...what's with all the theology so early in the morning? I don't know...it's SO early...but, here's what I wanna say...I don't see that it's bad to want OR need those things. I think we DO need them to be able to function properly in this world and to BE as healthy in mind and body as we can be. I can't find any scripture that says otherwise...ok...yay! I think I'm safe in saying that all of you want and need the same things! So, we are in the same boat, k...:) and I think there are lots of us, so it has to be a BIG boat!

SO, the teacher in me always looks for examples in everything I'm studying so I can best understand what it looks like, sounds like, tastes like...well, you get the picture. I did this for EVERY lesson in art I ever taught...well, in EVERY lesson in life I ever want to learn as well...MY example has always been the David in the bible because he messed up so bad but God loved him!...that's what I want, cuz I DO mess up as a human being...yep I do! And, we have consequences for everything we do..some good, and some bad...sigh...they are lessons...if we learn the lesson soon enough our consequences may turn around, if we don't the lessons will keep coming...so, I want to learn my lessons as quickly as I can..Hebrews 12:6 - "because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son"

Now wait...before we get too hairy in this one think of your own children...do you not give consequences to them when they do something that is dangerous or wrong? God loves us, and that is the guideline from HIM! and, one final note at this moment before we look at David...REMEMBER to love someone who is suffering a consequence in life...they do NOT need your judgement, they need your love...be gentle, be kind, be loving...they need you most when they are suffering...don't you know that God may not take away a consequence, but He will certainally love you through it...and He will NOT leave you! Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leaave you nor forsake you." 

And, NOW we can get back to David!


Oh, wait, that's my BROTHER David...
not the guy I meant...however he IS a very
Godly man!

did you know that this is a symbol
of perfection? tee hee

The David of the bible was called a man after God's own heart. Acts 13:22 - "After removing Saul (as king), He made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want Him to do.'"This tells me a few things. 1.  God has a heart (which is AWESOME), and 2.  that David; the big ole sinner that he was; was a man after God's own heart...This verse gives me great comfort. David killed a husband so he could have his wife...he committed adultery...but still he was given such a great honor as being in God's heart! WHY? Well, it's BECAUSE of David's heart! He had faith (read about his actions in I Sam. 17), he loved God's law (Psalm 119: 47-48: - “For I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.”, he was thankful (Psalm 26: 6-7), and he was repentant as is described in Psalm 51: 1-2 where he asks God for forgiviness after what he had done; read II Samuel 11-12 for the story of David and Bathsheba. and 3. A good heart is important for us in life and with God. and, part of the requirement of having a heart after God is that we DO everything He wants us to...(yep, had to slip that one in)...:)

Why am I REALLY writing this? Well, heart stuff is important, and it's nearly Valentines Day which is a good time to remember we need to care for our hearts and the hearts of those we love. I've had my heart broken into pieces on a good number of occasions in my life. I know we ALL HAVE! When it happens it is scary, and it physically hurts as well as emotionally, and it makes us feel alone...and those are horrible things to feel! One of my biggest scary things is to be alone and afraid...and also to know that someone I love is alone and afraid. I HATE THAT! I want to fix it immediately...and sometimes I can't. Life often takes time to work things out...sigh...yep, patience is also required when we are alone and afraid and our hearts are broken. AND, the best thing I can think of to do is to find comfort in a God that LOVES ME and imagine that He is right there holding me! I pray for the peace that passes understanding (a present He gives His children)...it REALLY WORKS if you allow Him to give it to you...Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by PRAYER and PETITION, with thanksgiving present your requrests to God. And the PEACE of God, which TRANSCENDS all understanding, will guard your HEARTS and your MINDS in Christ Jesus"

 

 

 The side effect of having broken hearts and living through it is we get a little stronger each time. I think it is because we have gained that bit of wisdom to know that "this too shall pass"...aarrgghh...not happy with it at the time, but I am old enough to see in resrospect that the sun does come up and we do get another chance at another day to learn and grow from our pain. The worst thing you can do is to give in to it and give up...this only leads to more of the same down the road...pain, fear, feelings of despair...the ONLY way out is UP! Get UP, look UP and pray, find ways to stay UP as much as possible...and that means looking for blessings where you can (we ALWAYS have them...just sometimes we have to look harder when we are in pain)...and a big ole cure for what ails you is to be kind to someone else...get out of yourself and do some good for someone else...there is ALWAYS someone out there who has it worse than you...sigh...:)

 

So, let's take this time of year...this ole reminder about love and such...and find a way to be gentle and kind to our own hearts so we can in turn be gentle and kind to someone else...and folks, that ain't just a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife...there are many loves in our lives...friends, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children...there is SOMEONE that loves you...someone that cares...and YOU love someone and care for someone...FIND a way to let our HEARTS shine inside and out!  Sorry for the silly platitude, but it really works if you give it a try!! We are all in this together...you are NOT alone!

GOD BLESS!