He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:10-11

Yesterday at Church, we had a Luncheon after service, and the fellowship was so beautiful. We even had guests who I never met before, but you could feel the love of Christ in the room. The unity of Christ is such a powerful thing, when the body of Christ comes together to worship and fellowship together, there is no greater force in the world. This is why the early Church turned the world upside down empowered by the Holy Spirit, they came together daily loved and served The Lord together as One

The Apostle John gives us a strong warning about forsaking the body of Christ. Many people who claim to be Christians , refuse to gather with the body of Christ, they forsake their brothers and sisters because of their own personal agendas. As the Apostle John says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “But he hates his brothers in darkness, and walks in darkness” To neglect your family of God is to hate your family of God. 

The Church, the body of Christ was designed by God for many reasons, as we were never designed to take this walk alone, as the Apostle John says “and knows not where he goes because the darkness has blinded his eyes” It’s easy to fall away or get deceived when your walking alone. Its like in the wild, the predator picks off the lonely weak prey, the predator doesn’t usually attack an entire group. As The Apostle Peter says “Satan is like a roaring lion looking to devour (1 Peter 5:8) Church is not just something we do to check off a box, No God designed the Church for spiritual purposes, including to keep you on the narrow path

I know Christians who say they wont get to Church , because “everyone is hypocrites” or “they don’t like the Pastor” ect. Can you see the seed of hatred being planted in your heart? As the Apostle John said He who hates his brothers and sisters (Church) walks in darkness” Bitterness and hatred are being planted in your hearts, pretty soon you’ll hate even your Lord, why? Because hate is a disease that spreads like cancer throughout the body and soul. You need to love your brothers and sisters in Christ, even the more difficult ones, why? Because Christ first loved You!

The good news to being rooted in the local body of Christ, as the Apostle John says “He who loves his brother (Church) walks in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling for him” The body of Christ will keep you in line, it provides some accountability for the way your living your life. But also we need to keep our hearts clean and pure, don’t allow your hearts to be hardened by sin and be filled with the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul said “Husband love your wives as Christ loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25) Jesus loves the Church so much he died for the Church, including You! Amen!