When we are obedient to God, we are friends and brothers of Christ, because all those who do the will of God will be blessed.
The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness.
Be careful: the one who discriminates, treats people falsely, and refuses to forgive is in darkness.
The one who loves his brother remains in the light and has no reason to stumble.
When we carry people in our hearts, the enemy can use that to make us stumble into anger and hatred.
But the one who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Gossip, slander, and false testimony belong to the world of darkness. Lies and envy belong to the world of darkness. Therefore, we must be careful about what we think and say, because without realizing it, we can enter the world of darkness.
God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:9)
All those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
(Romans 8:14)
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified with Him.
(Romans 8:16–17)
We receive boldness through our faith in Christ Jesus, to walk faithfully and firmly in His ways, to hold on to the hand of Christ Jesus, because the days are evil and we must make good use of the time.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.
By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments.
(1 John 5:1–2)
When we love our brothers, we demonstrate that we are disciples of Christ, because Jesus loved all people. He did not look at their condition, because He came for our salvation. That is why people said He ate with sinners, but He ate with them so they could be brought onto the path of truth and life.
Christ Jesus went to the house of Zacchaeus.
Christ Jesus forgave the criminal on the cross.
Christ Jesus forgave the adulterous woman.
Christ Jesus was a friend of Mary Magdalene.
Christ Jesus spoke with the woman at the well in Samaria.
All of this is a demonstration of love, forgiveness, and mercy, because Christ Jesus knows very well who each person is.
In our daily lives we face many situations, and many times the enemy wants to bring division—in the home, in marriage, in the family, and in the church—but one thing we must remember is that God is love, and through His love every wound can be healed.
That is the privilege we have when we are friends of Christ, because the Holy Spirit of God lives in us, because our body is the temple of God, bought and paid for with the blood of Christ Jesus, and we do not belong to ourselves.
Our God is wonderful and does excellent things. He is Almighty.
Sincerely,
Pastor Marcel Balootje