Kindred Spirits

01.14.11

J.A. Matteson

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι μεταβεβήκαμεν ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου εἰς τὴν ζωήν, ὅτι ἀγαπῶμεν τοὺς ἀδελφούς: ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν μένει ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ.

1 John 3:14

The foremost Teacher of the child of God is the Spirit of Christ abiding within. Prior to conversion the child of God is adrift upon the sea of the world system, in bondage to sin, being under the sway of the prince of darkness, possessing a disposition opposed to the heirs of the King of glory. Given over to the desires of his flesh, the world, and Satan he is by nature at odds with the Seed abiding within exiles upon the earth, the Church of God. In this regard he scarcely allows opportunities to pass where he does not consciously or unconsciously wish or inflict ill will upon the children of God. For they are are confusing to him, troubling to his sensibilities with their persistent attention to that which is transcendent, and their apparent lack of deep interest for what is tangible in this world strikes them as odd. To the natural man the children of God appear to live their lives focused on something beyond the realm of this world, unseen and immaterial, yet just as real, delightful, and hopeful in their eyes as the setting sun on a clear summers night.

At the same time the man of the world cannot understand why the ambassador of Christ inserts his nose into the affairs of the world, those whom he knows not personally, measuring and decrying specific worldly attitudes and deeds as unrighteous when evaluated against the transcendent standard of the King of kings. And so this dogged inclination toward and pursuit of the King's righteousness by the children of God is greeted with disdain by the world system given over to unrighteousness, under the sway of the prince of darkness.

Subsequent to his conversion, aided by the Holy Spirit, the child of God ponders these realities and is reminded by the Spirit that prior to the call of grace he was, as the rest, a product of the world system at enmity toward the King of kings and his children. Echoing the teaching of Christ the Apostle offers a simple and profound self test for his readers to know if in fact they are regenerate and abiding in Christ; viz., love of the brethren. For the unregenerate man does not love the brethren; indeed, quite the opposite. At best he tolerates them and at worst openly persecutes them. They are an irritant to him like a sliver of wood under a toe nail or an eye lash in the eye. Instinctively the natural man undertakes to remove or in some fashion quell the voice of these irritants of his existence.

Therefore, the pilgrim marvels at that which the Spirit of God has performed in him, acknowledging that the circumcision of his heart, the cutting away of his old natural tendencies of enmity towards the children of God, has birthed a love for the Savior and His church. The new pilgrim joyfully considers his new disposition with wonder, being perplexed as to how those whom he once looked upon with confusion and grim disdain are now be regarded in his heart as kindred spirits. He now not only loves them but desires to spend time with them, partnering with them to champion the mission of the King and His Kingdom. For the new child of the King everything is different. His perspective or the picture of this earthly existence has taken on a vividness nor early present, for it is the same world as before his conversion but prior to being visited by the grace of God he experienced it in black and white, but now as a regenerate child of God in exquisite color.

He now knows that he loves the brethren by his new disposition that finds expression by his willing association with them and their enterprises, energetically embracing their cause of the proclamation of the Gospel of peace, and in worship of Jesus Christ the Savior and the daily edification of his soul by the Word of God. He knows that he loves the brethren by his new inclination to intercession on their behalf, desiring their physical and spiritual protection, deliverance and sanctification. He knows that he loves the brethren by his mercy towards them, supplying as able needed food, clothing, and whatever else they may be in need of, willingly sharing the goods of this world which the Lord has providentially given to him.

There remains, therefore, a serious spiritual caution to any so called brother or sister who expresses an open dislike for Christ's church. It is common today for some to claim that they love the Savior but don't like His church, avoiding fellowship with the saints and the mutual participation in the ministries of the church. Woe unto them! These are false brethren, deceived and deceiving. For whom was it that Christ died, was it not the church? For whom does the Savior express His love, is it not the church? For whom does the church represent, is it not the spiritual body of our blessed Lord? For whom will the Lord rapture to glory at His return, is it not the church? For whom will be given Christ's authority to judge the nations and affairs of men, is it not the church? And to whom has it been granted to spend eternity in the new Jerusalem in worship of the Savior, is it not the church? Beloved, it is impossible to lay claim to love the Savior while at the same time holding disdain for His church as the two are inseparably linked together, and this by His design.

Blessed is the church of God whom the Father will present to the Bridegroom without spot or wrinkle on that Day. And blessed is he who knows within his heart that he has passed out of death unto life, not merely by his expressed love for the Savior, but by his genuine love of the brethren who are the church of the living God.

Copyright © 2011 Immutable Word Ministries (“...the word of our God stands forever.” Isa. 40:8).