March 2024
We have come to see that long distance relationships are most often not what they seem (people lie) so the crux of one anothering each other is for face to face accountable relationships just as it was in the bible. We are for the most part avoiding long distance close relationships having learned much over the years. Our website is there for the Heb 3:13 edification of all people as we focus on our street ministry and those saints in front of us.
Love of the Brethren....where is it today???
Note: this article is generated because we see much lacking in the claimed body of Christ so we must speak out in concern!
We have seen a real LACK of (biblical) love of each other on a daily basis in relationships, also in those we meet who still "go to church on Sunday".
In John 13 we see Jesus show how we are to love one another; He, the God of the universe, washes the feet of sinful man and then says this:
Then He proceeds to give His life as a sacrifice.
We see in Acts 2 the saints who know each other in person, had daily one anothering towards each other.
Note: this article is generated because we see much lacking in the claimed body of Christ so we must speak out in concern!
We have seen a real LACK of (biblical) love of each other on a daily basis in relationships, also in those we meet who still "go to church on Sunday".
In John 13 we see Jesus show how we are to love one another; He, the God of the universe, washes the feet of sinful man and then says this:
vs 34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Then He proceeds to give His life as a sacrifice.
We see in Acts 2 the saints who know each other in person, had daily one anothering towards each other.
This is LOVE! This is the prime example of what love is, sacrificing, putting forth, giving at the expense of one's self.
We are sad to say that it is very, very rare when we see that in the brethren today except for a select very few. When we say brethren it is in reference to those who have been born again, confessed to come out of man made religion and the world, claiming to have repented and been transformed to show fruit of striving in the things of God.
We at dontperish.com have (over the past 10 years) come in contact with hundreds / thousands of people claiming these characteristics yet most often we do NOT see the fruit of what Jesus said would be the sign of His disciples....love of one another. This is troubling!
We are VERY concerned for them and we want us all to do better for the Lord! Only the Holy Spirit, solid biblical truth and accountability can do this.
We are VERY concerned for them and we want us all to do better for the Lord! Only the Holy Spirit, solid biblical truth and accountability can do this.
There has been a great conviction in us recently, examining the scriptures over this and we must, moving forward, be obedient to the scriptures and look for the evidence of this love in those who communicate with and encourage them to it, or we will be in sin ourselves by ignoring these scriptures.
God's Word shows over 50 times we are to 'one another' each other. See this article on that:
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-anothering.html
This can only come from regular loving communication amongst believers in exhorting, rebuking, encouraging, sharing, loving etc. These are commands yet we see many people either sinning because they are selfish and not sharing or they are false converts because they have no driving hunger to gather/love or to one another the saints. If we are to believe all of our Saviors words then these, about 'love' are included as well.
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-anothering.html
This can only come from regular loving communication amongst believers in exhorting, rebuking, encouraging, sharing, loving etc. These are commands yet we see many people either sinning because they are selfish and not sharing or they are false converts because they have no driving hunger to gather/love or to one another the saints. If we are to believe all of our Saviors words then these, about 'love' are included as well.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Honestly, we see the world shows more love in action than 99.9% of the brothers and sisters we come in contact with. In fact; many so called Christian's daily love their dog more then they give love to saints daily. It is sad but true.
Un-redeemed people in the world who are best friends have regular loving communication often with each other. The world calls, videos, texts, messages, emails and visits those they love on a constant almost daily basis, they don't let distance or anything hinder their relationships of love. Yet what we see from believers is lip service, claims of love and very little action behind it. Often we hear there are NO true saints but when people find other saints and know of a few others, those people do not love on them, not desiring accountability or any one anothering of each other biblically. We see it esp when truth is applied and going deeper in the faith, most runoff. How can this bode well for their eternal soul?
Note: this includes those who do Sunday religious gatherings, communities of faith, house church people or those who we know via long distance communication; it is the same it seems.
Un-redeemed people in the world who are best friends have regular loving communication often with each other. The world calls, videos, texts, messages, emails and visits those they love on a constant almost daily basis, they don't let distance or anything hinder their relationships of love. Yet what we see from believers is lip service, claims of love and very little action behind it. Often we hear there are NO true saints but when people find other saints and know of a few others, those people do not love on them, not desiring accountability or any one anothering of each other biblically. We see it esp when truth is applied and going deeper in the faith, most runoff. How can this bode well for their eternal soul?
Note: this includes those who do Sunday religious gatherings, communities of faith, house church people or those who we know via long distance communication; it is the same it seems.
What is biblical love?
Certainly not just lip service. (See James 2 where it says faith without works is dead, be a doer not just a hearer James 1).
Love for believers (the identification of being a disciple of Jesus Christ) would be a continuous action of being involved with other brothers and sisters in the Word of God on a very regular basis as they can. This does not mean only talking and sharing about the weather, our household chores, projects and sending a scripture once in a while, this would be a deep yearning and hunger to come together and SHARE (GIVE) what the Lord is doing in our lives, talking about the scriptures (not just listening), giving and receiving through the Word and what is going on in the ministry God has given them. This also means sacrifice such as giving to brothers and sisters your time even when tired or stressed, offering of hospitality, keeping one another informed where they feel the Lord is leading them in life etc. (Washing of feet means more then just washing actual feet !!! )
Certainly not just lip service. (See James 2 where it says faith without works is dead, be a doer not just a hearer James 1).
Love for believers (the identification of being a disciple of Jesus Christ) would be a continuous action of being involved with other brothers and sisters in the Word of God on a very regular basis as they can. This does not mean only talking and sharing about the weather, our household chores, projects and sending a scripture once in a while, this would be a deep yearning and hunger to come together and SHARE (GIVE) what the Lord is doing in our lives, talking about the scriptures (not just listening), giving and receiving through the Word and what is going on in the ministry God has given them. This also means sacrifice such as giving to brothers and sisters your time even when tired or stressed, offering of hospitality, keeping one another informed where they feel the Lord is leading them in life etc. (Washing of feet means more then just washing actual feet !!! )
Many people we have come across often remember some sort of relationship they have had with family and friends before Christ and the yearning they have to be back with that person that has left them over Christ, yet when God blesses them with true brothers and sisters (who they would be with for all of eternity), they most often give them scraps and this is troubling. God is NOT glorified in this and we are not interested in it.
We see many brothers and sisters spend more time and energy conversing with the world than they do the eternal family of God. We see them on facebook more than with the brethren. We hear them talking more about fishing, hunting, shopping and the latest videos and documentaries on youtube than with the brethren. And the fact is as we said; many people spend more time looking after their pets than their brothers and sisters in Christ. Out of your mouth your heart speaks and from your life you will see what's in the heart of a man, most often we see it is not leaning towards the things of God...but of the flesh. This leads to their spiritual demise, not growth!
We see many brothers and sisters spend more time and energy conversing with the world than they do the eternal family of God. We see them on facebook more than with the brethren. We hear them talking more about fishing, hunting, shopping and the latest videos and documentaries on youtube than with the brethren. And the fact is as we said; many people spend more time looking after their pets than their brothers and sisters in Christ. Out of your mouth your heart speaks and from your life you will see what's in the heart of a man, most often we see it is not leaning towards the things of God...but of the flesh. This leads to their spiritual demise, not growth!
Some will say 'but we are new believers, we don't have much to share, we just want to learn'....we would say that's fine but we still don't see the hunger to gather as in most, there are rarely any questions being asked, nor asking for accountability and discipleship on a regular basis. They lack love for the saints and love for the Word to feed and grow on.
We also see many who treat the gathering like 'going to church' as if they did their duty, they listened to biblical teaching then go back to their lives on their own not caring to share or give often but to only take. We have noticed that when we stop leading, reaching out, pursuing those who claim to be of the brethren, they slowly disappear....this shows evidence that they were not loving the brethren but only in lip service, not true love of action / fruit and in danger of being a hypocrite and liar toward God's Word and ways.
Frankly we are sorely disappointed and grieved for our Father because it's almost a mockery of His family bought with His blood and if we continue to enable such relationships then we will be bordering on sin ourselves. These lukewarm relationships will drag you down, NOT lift you up on Christ.
These people are takers NOT givers of love. Be careful this types will suck you dry!
These people are takers NOT givers of love. Be careful this types will suck you dry!
We are not interested in unbiblical lukewarm relationships anymore than our Savior was or is today. No, we want TRUE biblical, loving relationships (koinonia) with those who hunger and thirst to live for Christ, with those who are stripping themselves down and can't wait to share it with the brethren, those who hunger for accountability or discipleship and go seeking other brothers and sisters for it, those who can't wait to share a victory or they cry out for help in a battle. Those who are willing to give up time and or possessions for the brethren who might be in need and actually do it. For those that don't just ask if a brother needs help but one that follows through when they get the answer. We are seeking only those who example what the Word tells us will be His disciples via the Word of God!
Imagine going into a battle with fellow soldiers who were not zealous for their duty or you did not trust as they refused to be of one mind with you in your efforts. Well we are in a spiritual war ( Ephesians 6 ) and we must require faithful soldiers or we cannot unite ranks for God's glory and kingdom.
Apostle Paul says be united in ONE mind...
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
We see much lukewarm compromise ( sin ) today both in doctrine and in relationships and we want nothing to do with it.
Note: as we test them, religious gatherings today are FULL of these lukewarm types but we desire so much more thus we could never unite to that. And those who find us online or through our ministry work, we must encourage them to more for God's glory!
Imagine going into a battle with fellow soldiers who were not zealous for their duty or you did not trust as they refused to be of one mind with you in your efforts. Well we are in a spiritual war ( Ephesians 6 ) and we must require faithful soldiers or we cannot unite ranks for God's glory and kingdom.
Apostle Paul says be united in ONE mind...
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
We see much lukewarm compromise ( sin ) today both in doctrine and in relationships and we want nothing to do with it.
Note: as we test them, religious gatherings today are FULL of these lukewarm types but we desire so much more thus we could never unite to that. And those who find us online or through our ministry work, we must encourage them to more for God's glory!
If we continue to compromise and entertain lukewarm professed believers, we will be in sin ourselves so we will not continue to do so any longer going forward. We will warn then cut off those who are not interested in keeping the Fathers ways in love.
Note:
We are eagerly here to 'wash the feet of the saints', (help them) for those who want to strive in and hunger for fellowship in the Word, to 'one another' with those who are boldly pursuing truth and obedience, in love.
Apostle Paul warned about leaven ( sin ) Galatians 5:9 that comes in in small pieces. We cannot allow that in our lives and relationships.
Note:
We are eagerly here to 'wash the feet of the saints', (help them) for those who want to strive in and hunger for fellowship in the Word, to 'one another' with those who are boldly pursuing truth and obedience, in love.
Apostle Paul warned about leaven ( sin ) Galatians 5:9 that comes in in small pieces. We cannot allow that in our lives and relationships.
If you read this article and are either convicted about your actions, please go to the Lord in repentance and ask Him to mature you in this area. We are striving to do better in this area always for His glory. We are here to help but in the meantime we must avoid that which is lukewarm and redeem the time as the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16
Jesus and Paul did warn that the love of many will wax cold and we would see a world that would be in mostly false ways and religion that is self serving and void of truth and love.
We fear we are in that day but we MUST still encourage those who claim to be born of Christ to go deeper in truth and their relationships with each other. We love them all and are daily pouring ourselves OUT for them! We believe per scripture this is our reasonable service to God as our worship.
We love you all.....
Jesus and Paul did warn that the love of many will wax cold and we would see a world that would be in mostly false ways and religion that is self serving and void of truth and love.
We fear we are in that day but we MUST still encourage those who claim to be born of Christ to go deeper in truth and their relationships with each other. We love them all and are daily pouring ourselves OUT for them! We believe per scripture this is our reasonable service to God as our worship.
We love you all.....
See our biblical resources below..... especially the gospel to eternal life!
God be praised
www.dontperish.com
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God be praised
www.dontperish.com
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Here is the biblical gospel:
Here is a 10 point biblical test:
Spirit and Truth Teaching Blog http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/
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