Relationships with My Friends and Brethren
As a Christadelphian, I should always try to see the
best in others and not the worst: So whatever I wish that others would
do to me, I should do also to them; for this is the Law and the
Prophets (Matthew 7:12); ‘Why should I see the speck that is in my
brother’s eye, but not notice the log that is in my own eye?’ (Luke
6:41); ‘Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is
not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not
irritable or resentful’ (1 Corinthians 13:4,5).
I must not be easily offended; but rather remember
how much I have been forgiven by God. So if I am offering my gift at
the altar and there I remember that my brother has something against
me, I should leave my gift there before the altar and go first and
reconcile with my brother, and then I come and offer my gift (Matthew
5:23, 24). I should come to terms quickly with my accuser while I am
going with him to court, lest my accuser hand me over to the judge, the
judge to the guard and I be put in prison. Truly I will never get out
until I pay the last penny.
I should accept rebuke patiently and humbly and I
must be ready to forgive with all my heart any offence against myself.
God will not forgive me unless I do. Fighting and cursing must have no
part in my life in Christ, because the world does such things. I need
to care that weaker brethren and babes in Christ are not caused to
stumble by anything I do or say: ‘I should speak evil of no-one. I
should avoid quarrelling and be gentle and I should show perfect
courtesy towards all people’ (Titus 3:2).
I need to be careful about the company I keep. Some
friends would help me, but others would only hinder me in my efforts to
follow Christ. I should not be deceived; bad company ruins good morals,
My boasting is not good, I should know that a little leaven leavens the
whole lump (1 Cor 15:33; 5:6). I should seek the company and
fellowship of brethren and sisters and choose my friends in the
ecclesia, The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles
want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies,
drinking parties and lawless idolatry. With respect to this, they are
surprised when I do not join them in the same flood of debauchery and
they malign me. But they will have to give account to him who is ready
to judge the living and the dead’ (1 Peter 4:3-5); Let no-one deceive
me with empty words for because of these things, the wrath of God comes
upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore I should not associate with
them. For at one time I was in darkness, but now I am in the light’
(Ephesians 5:6-8); I should devote myself to the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42).
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what
partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? What accord has Christ
with Belial? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?’ (2 Cor
6:14-18;ch7:1). God said that ‘I will make my dwelling among them and I
will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from
their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, And I will be
the father to you and you shall be my sons and daughters’. Since we
have these promises, we should cleanse ourselves from the defilement of
our bodies; bringing holiness to completion by the fear of God.
Bro Isaac Kapa (Tongaren, Kenya)
