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"LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF."
"THE FLESH IS AGAINST THE SPIRIT IN ITS
DESIRE". (5:17).
Christians would not, however, be
showing love to their neighbours if by tacit acceptance they were condoning
sodomite depravity, idol worship, or the Godless practices of adulterers, liars,
thieves, apostates or any other antichrists. Neither should we allow ourselves
to become "unevenly yoked with unbelievers" by uniting ourselves
with those who refuse to be spiritually readjusted and who reject righteous
instruction and examples from holy ones. (2 Cor 6:14. Eph 4:11,12). Otherwise,
we would again become slaves to sin. (2 Peter 2:20 But how could we show love to our neighbours as we do to ourselves? The answer: By declaring to them the mercy and Will of God "that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth" through the "one mediator between God and men" Christ Jesus. "This is what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times." (1 Tim 2:4-6. See "Appointed Times" in the Subject Index of the "Little Scroll" and Revelation 10:7-11 & 11:2). If, however, a neighbour repeatedly refuses to accept the Will of God for them to acknowledge and feel sincere regret over their sins (to repent) and be progressively spiritually sanctified (walking in a "newness of life" of righteous conduct), then only the fearful expectation of Judgement remains. (Rom 6:4. Heb 10:26,27). Almighty God only creates the spirits of those who are obedient to His inspired Word through His Christ for their salvation. If a Christian has sincerely tried to make known the Word of God (His commandments) to his neighbours, then he has shown them true love. For "this is what love means, that we go on walking according to His commandments", and not merely according to the notions of self-willed individuals who cannot possibly show true love outside the commandments of God. Love is a spiritual quality, for it is guided by holy principle. (2 John V.6). "You were, of course, called for freedom, brothers; only do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another." (See Gal 5:13-23).
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