run from evil

we are called, as the body of Christ, to corporately run from evil. to hold back and change our ways if something is a stumbling block to a brother. we are called to care deeply about our own sin, but much more than that, we are called to care deeply for sin in the lives of our spiritual family. how have we become so materialistic and wrapped up in our habits and comforts that we no longer withhold words or actions when those words and actions are deeply offending and harming our brothers and sisters? when have we become so individualistic and arrogant that we've turned our faces from the fact that we live in a dynamic community which is affected by our actions?

I am very guilty of this in my life. very guilty. I repent, Lord. would you come in and humble my heart? I ask you, Lord Jesus, to work in me a deep compassion and love for my brother. work in me the same selfless love and mercy that brought you to the cross.

in Romans 12, 14 and 15, Paul talks about this kind of community living of which we are be a part as the body of Christ. he says,

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:9-10) .

And again, "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whim Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:13-23)

Continuing in Romans 15, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.' For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:1-6).

Oh, that we would be radical in loving our brothers and sisters. That we, with unified hearts, would corporately run from evil and hate sin. Oh, that we would fight diligently for the sake of our brothers, that they would run without hindrance straight to Christ. Let us, then, examine our lives and begin to pick up the stumbling blocks that we have laid before our brothers' feet. Lord, help us. Unify our hearts, Holy Spirit, that we would have a spirit of unity and righteousness, of peace and hope in your Kingdom.