2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
“1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
Friendships come and go as do fellowships. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the wrong reasons. Some are gone for good in this life while others are strained and/or limited to some degree. And praise the Lord, sometimes the issues that caused the break can be settled and friendship and fellowship can return.
In God's Word we are warned often to not give in to false doctrine or to sentimentalism or to false accusations. Oftentimes we let our feelings and our pride take over and when we do the outcome is never good. Though it may seem right in our own eyes, we must consider “what saith the Lord”. It must be the Lord who directs our hearts and our steps and not our own feelings and sentiments.
Instead of jumping to conclusions we must be patient and wait on the Lord for the answer. There may be times we must break with the crowd of popularity and follow the way of the Lord. Though the threat of losing friends and the loss of fellowship is often a scary thing we must not let that sentimentalism get in the way of following the commandments of God. We are called to proclaim the truth, no matter the cost.
We must be careful of those who seem to constantly stir up strife among the brethren. Someone who has made it their life's goal to sow discord rather than sowing love we must be wary of.
Proverbs 15:18 “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
Romans 16:17-19 “17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”
The pride of man is an ugly thing. Pride has been the downfall of much of the broken friendships and fellowships between God's people and even His churches. When we become so prideful that we will no longer listen to reason and/or to the truth we have become the heart of the problem and the only course of action must be to humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father and seek His face in repentance. Then and only then can we have peace in this life.
In conclusion, there are a lot of things going on today that have come between the Lord's churches. Some false doctrine, false accusations, following after men rather than God, and a great falling away from contending “for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” just to name a few. All these can be attributed to that ugly word “Pride”. Brothers and Sisters it is time we leave our pride behind and humble ourselves before our God and seek His face if we truly want peace among our brethren. Please understand I am not advocating compromising on false doctrine but rather promoting we boldly stand on the truths of God's Word. Boldly stand for the right and forsake the wrong.
Praise ye the Lord!!!
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