Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

 

John proved his love for his brothers and sisters not only by commending them but also by imparting counsel to them.  For instance, in his letters, John commended his brothers and sisters for their faith and good works, but he also gave them direct counsel about sin.  ( 1 John 1:8-2:1, 13, 14)  Similarly, we need to commend our brothers and sisters for the good things they do. But if  someone is developing a  bad attitude or habit,m, we can show love by tactfully telling him what he needs to hear. It takes courage to give counsel to a friend, but the Bible says that true friends sharpen, or correct, one another. - PROVERBS 27:17.

Sometimes, we prove our love for our brothers and sisrters by what we do not do.  For example,  we do not get easily offended by what they say.  Consider an incident that happened toward the end of Jesus' life on earth.  He told his disciples that to gain life they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood.  ( John 6:53-57)  That speech was so shocking  that many of his disciples abandoned him-but no so his real friends, including John.  They loyally stuck with him.  They did not understand what Jesus said was wrong and become offended by it.  Instead, they trusted him, knowing that he spoke the truth.  (John 6:60, 66-69) How important it is that we do not become so easily offended by what our friends say! Rather, we allow them the opportunity to explain misunderstandings. - PROVERBS 18:13; ECCLESIASTES 7:9.

John also urged us not hate our brothers or sisters. If we fail to heed that counsel, we leave ourselves open to being manipulated bny Satan.  (1 John 2:11; 3:15)  This happended to some at the end of the first century C.E. Satan was doing all that he could to promote hatred and divide God's people.  By the time John wrote his letters, men showed the same spirit as Satan had slipped into the congregation.  For instance, Diotrephes was creating serious divisions in one congregation.  (3 John 9:10)  He was disrespectful to traveling representatives of the governing body. He even tried to throw out of the congregaton those who were hospitable to people whom he disliked. How arrogant! Satan is still desperately trying to divide and conquer God's people today.  May we never allow hatred to drive us apart.

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR FAMILY

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