Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. God has ordained and set
forth that all of his children should be in a vital relationship
not only with himself but also with one another. He prayed for
them in the garden that the Father might give them unity, I in them
and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that
the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them
as thou hast loved me. In keeping with this thought,
he described how the rest of the world would recognize them
as his disciples, as he taught them how they should regard one
another. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another,
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this
shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another. Our religious flesh quite often
tries to modify that teaching because it is much easier to
adopt other means of identification than the one he gave. Surely
he meant that the world would know his people because they
were sound in doctrine, or mighty in word and deed, or faithful,
or perhaps by their prosperity in the midst of want, or that
they had spiritual gifts to demonstrate his power. The flesh says surely
we can substitute something else for having love one to the other.
because there is nothing more contrary to our flesh than the
simple love and esteem of our brethren above ourselves. There
can be no imitation of true love. It can always be seen for what
it is. Fulfill ye my joy that ye be like-minded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done
through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man
on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. The
psalmist of old said, Behold how good and how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell together in unity. What the psalmist observed
has been set forth by the Lord in the establishment of His body
in the earth. This is demonstrated as the Lord
gathers men together in local churches for this purpose. The
whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working and the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love. Just as the human body is made
up of many parts, so also is the church. If one part is lacking
or injured, then the whole body suffers. The health and nourishment
of the body depends on every part of the body working for
the mutual aid of the whole. And not holding the head, from
which all the body by joints and bands, having nourishment
ministered and knit together, increases with the increase of
God. All of their spiritual health comes from the head, but he is
pleased to minister it to his children through the various
parts, joints, and bands of the body. So the truth of the matter
is the saints are their brother's keeper, not just to see that
he does not fall prey to deceivers and false prophets, but also
that they are careful by their actions to set forth a proper
example and do nothing which may cause him to stumble. This
is the exact message that Peter gave to the Ephesian elders.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being examples to the flock." Paul wrote to the Corinthian
church about the exercise of Christian liberty. Now we're
quite sure that all things are lawful unto the sons of God,
but not all things are useful for the edification of the brethren.
Though I might have freedom of conscience to partake of something
others consider forbidden, my love for the brethren should
cause me to examine my conduct to see if it is in any way harmful
to those whom the Lord loves with an everlasting love." This
particular instance that Paul is addressing to the Corinthians
had to do with the eating of meat which was sacrificed to
idols. Paul plainly indicates that the purpose for which the
meat was used had no bearing on its suitableness for consumption
as food. The Lord said, There is nothing
from without a man that entering into him can defile him, but
the things which come out of him, those are they that defile
the man. Those whom Paul called the weaker
brethren were still making a connection in their own mind between eating
the meat sacrificed to idols and the worshiping of those idols,
so that in their ignorance they would consider that it was acceptable
to worship those idols and thus should be caused to stumble in
this matter and be overcome with confusion and idolatry. It behooves
those who are strong in the Lord to consider these weaker brethren
as we conduct ourselves in the world. Wherefore, if meat make
my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world
standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." Do you love the brethren? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.