Most of us cannot have these kinds of relationships here on earth because even the Christians have little desire for the Word of God in these last days, and even less desire to know what God thinks.
If you are like me, you have probably been told you are legalistic, unloving, judgmental, usurping the authority of "clergy" and worse, treated as though you are unworthy of kindness and love.
Many years ago, when I was a new believer, the meanest people were those family members who attended church gatherings every week, faithfully showing up to be seen while lacking the love of Christ and all the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
For years, I could not understand the discrepancy between the title "Christian" and the way people acted, with such pride and self-righteousness.
I began to be thankful that they did not accept me because I was no longer pressured to become like them. There have only been a handful of lovely believers in my life from the beginning of my salvation until now.
When the Lord opened my eyes to the false, burdensome social Christianity in nearly all the gatherings we attended, there was no going back to that pretense and superficiality.
I love my family members, but when it became clear they had no love for me or the Lord, I had only one thing to do, and that was to remove myself and get on with my life.
Over the years, God brought to me from time to time, lovely, authentically born-again believers who enjoyed speaking of the Lord and discussing His word with enthusiasm. There are very few people left in this world who enjoy speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, most church attendees not only don't know their Bibles but also fight against God's principles and commands.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Here is what I do not notice when in company with churchgoers in our day:
Romans 8:6 "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,"
Ephesians 5:9 "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth."
Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
The false church of our day delights in superiority, competitiveness, and holding past forgiven sins against those they think are unworthy. These folks do not confess their sin of pride or rudeness, but justify it as though they have not sinned.
1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
2 Peter 1:5-8 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Our modern brand of Christianity does not look to edify someone in the word; they look to find flaws to be able to gossip.
One day soon, believers will all be together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and everyone there will love Jesus Christ, and they will love us too!!!
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