John 15:17 - "These things I command you, that you love one another.
Yahushua mentioned this is the second most important commandment in all of scripture. I would say this would be a topic that would at least be worthy of our extreme attention. Wouldn't you say? I think so.
Most of us know the greatest commandment, which is that we love Yahweh with all of our heart, soul and strength. That's what we just heard in the Hebrew language, which we should love Yahweh with all of our heart, soul and strength.
One thing we need to keep in mind, that we don't just love in word. In other words, the commandment to love is not as the world seems to put it, the statement, "I love you."
We are called to love one another, not just in word, but in deed and truth.
John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
I would say that's a pretty tall order, absolutely. Yahushua loves us, and His works have proven it. It was not Him saying, "I love you, my brothers," that revealed His love for us, but it's His actions.
John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
Amein. The scriptures are full of commandments, admonitions telling us that we need to love one another.
John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 - "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Isn't that interesting? All men will know that we are Yahushua's disciples, not by how smart we are or how versed we are in scripture, but if we have love one to another.
It won't be how many degrees you have in education and how well you know the Hebrew language. It will be by the love you have for your fellow brother that will demonstrate to the world that you are Yahushua's disciple.
That love for one another is supposed to be a light and a witness to all the world that we are like Yahushua, who loved us to the death, who served His Father in so doing.
Think for a moment. If we have the love for one another that Yahushua has called us to have, how attractive that would be to this world that does not know how to love. Wouldn't that cause many people to want to join in that kind of love and devotion? Absolutely.
Wouldn't that draw all men unto Yahweh, because of our love for one another? Wouldn't that want to be a part of that body of Messiah, when they see that love for one another that we have? Absolutely. Here are some of the deeds that show forth that kind of love. I'll read Romans 12:10-21 to give you a flavor and picture of what kind of love we're called to have.
Romans 12:10 - [Be] kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Romans 12:11 - not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving YAHWEH;
Romans 12:12 - rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:13 - distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:16 - Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Romans 12:17 - Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:18 - If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:19 - Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay," says YAHWEH.
Romans 12:20 - Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
If we are all part of the same body, we're interconnected in such a way that we do rejoice with those that rejoice. We weep with them that weep.
Very good examples of how we are to live in such a way that we love one another. Our love to one another is indeed a service to Yahweh, as it says in verse 11.
Remember what Yahushua the Messiah said in Matthew 20:26-27.
Matthew 20:26 - "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
Matthew 20:27 - "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave --
Some people get upset when they have to do some kind of lowly task for others. It ought not be that way. With the attitude we ought to have, which is loving by serving, we should rejoice in that calling. With that kind of attitude, there is little chance for pride.
Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
We are supposed to fulfill the law like Yahushua fulfilled the law through His love for us. Love is not this empty word. It is an act of service. It is an act of serving, and doing, and walking as Yahushua walked.
In light of these things, we need to make sure that we answer some very important questions about our own life. What do we do for our brethren? What works or acts of service are we doing for our brethren?
Are we just serving ourselves, or are we actively doing something frequently that will serve and edify the body of the Messiah?
That's a very important thing we need to ask ourselves, because our love for one another is demonstrated through our service to one another.
If we don't love one another, we won't really care what other people are going through or what needs they may have, and we'll just take care of ourselves and do our own thing, but if we do love, we'll want to know, "Is there something that I can do? Is there some way I can serve you, my fellow man?"
I don't want to be a tree just taking up the ground. I want to bear fruit. Do we see our brother in need and not ask to help? Do we pray for one another?
1John 3:17 - But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of Elohim abide in him?
Very interesting question. How is it even possible that the love of Yahweh would abide in such a person who sees a need and shuts up his heart from a brother who is in need?
1John 3:18 - My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1John 3:19 - And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
John liked to say that a lot: "By this we know…" By what? When we love in deed with action and in truth. Loving and serving go hand-in-hand. Did you ever notice that as we serve Yahweh, Yahweh is constantly serving us?
You may not think of it that way, but did He not serve us when He created all things, a perfect world for us to dwell in? Did He not serve us daily, as we ask Him to do things for us in our prayers?
Don't our prayers consist of requests for healing, requests for strength, requests for Him to work things out for us? We're asking Him to do things, aren't we? We're asking that He would serve us in some way.
He even serves us when we aren't serving Him. There are a lot of people out there in this world who aren't serving Him, and yet He is serving them.
There are some among us who might say, "I won't serve a person who is not showing love to me. Isn't that interesting? Yahweh served you long before you served Him.
Adam failed to return love to Yahweh when he sinned. We've also failed. Yet, Yahweh still loves us to the point of even sending His own Son to die for us. Wow. Isn't that supposed to be the thing that sets us apart as Yahweh's people, that we are willing to show love, willing to serve and to bless those who do not serve us in return?
Isn't that supposed to be the hallmark and evidence that Yahushua lives in us? Isn't that exactly what He did? Yahweh serves us continually, whether we serve Him or not. How can we not serve Him in return? We are called to be His children.
Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:45 - "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
That's the way you become Yahweh's child right there, for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Ninety percent, probably, of all marriage problems could be resolved if the person who is not receiving the love that's adequate is willing to love anyway.
In other words, if the husband will do what he's called to do, then the wife will come along. If the wife will do what she's supposed to do, then the husband will come along, as well, eventually -- not always, but most of the time.
Everybody needs to be willing to love those who don't love them, even if it's their wife, or a family member, or a person in society, a friend, a neighbor.
That's how we're going to bring Yahushua to the world. We're even called to love our enemies. How much more so ought we love our brother?
If Yahweh's love is truly in us, we will love our brother, as Yahweh does, because Yahweh's Spirit is in us. Yahushua loves our brother. Yahushua gave His life for our brother. Do we love our brother as He did? That's His commandment. We read it earlier. It's part of the calling.
Ephesians 4:1 -
Ephesians 4:2 -
Ephesians 4:3 -
This is part of what it means to walk worthy of the calling, being lowly, being gentle, being longsuffering, bearing with one another endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of shalom.
Today we may not have pure unity in doctrine. One day we will. We can have unity of the Spirit. All of us can have a submissive and humble attitude that brings unity amongst one another. We may not have perfect unity in everything that we believe, but we can love one another. That's one thing we ought to be unified on.
Our fathers have inherited lies, and we're here trying to sort it all out. We can't have unity of the Spirit in the bond of shalom if the same Spirit is in each of us, and it should be.
David noticed that it was a very beautiful thing when we all are in unity.
Psalms 133:1 - <> Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:2 - [It is] like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
Psalms 133:3 - [It is] like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there YAHWEH commanded the blessing -- Life forevermore.
Maybe one reason it's noted as being very good and very pleasant is because it's very bad and very unpleasant when brethren dwell together in disunity. When we dwell together in unity, it's good, it's pleasant.
We should be taught of Yahweh to love one another when His Spirit is in us. When His Spirit is in us, He will love our brother through us.
1Thessalonians 4:9 - But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by Elohim to love one another;
Let's be sure we stir up that love and not strife. Let's not waste any time with our brother stumbling over strife, over accusations and over self seeking.
If there is strife, let's not stumble and say, "There's arguing going on over there; that can't be Yahweh's people," and walk away. Let's work toward unity.
Many stumble at the discord. Many stumble at strife when they see two people disagree with one another. They walk away and separate themselves and go off and look for the group where everyone is in unity. You can't find it, and they're all snared in prison holes, locked in denominations where unity is enforced. That's not our calling.
We need to be sure that it's our unity with Yahweh that brings the unity that we should have. Let Him be our King and no other man. The enemy wants to come in and confuse. He wants to divide, and He wants to conquer.
It's clear we are a scattered people. We are scattered, and sometimes when people who are scattered finally find each other, even though they're all gathered together every week on Shabbat, something happens, and they scatter even more.
Everyone is looking for the perfect group. It doesn't exist. In the end times, it says though we are a scattered people, somehow the people of Yahweh are going to be able to communicate, speaking often to one another and loving one another. Let's be sure we don't neglect this.
Malachi 3:16 - Then those who feared YAHWEH spoke to one another, And YAHWEH listened and heard [them]; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear YAHWEH And who meditate on His name.
Malachi 3:17 - "They shall be Mine," says YAHWEH of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."
Malachi 3:18 - Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves Elohim And one who does not serve Him.
Yahweh is very pleased when He sees our fellowship. We can see in Malachi 3:16 that He's very interested in our conversations, no matter where we are in the world, whether in a home fellowship group, on the telephone, on the internet, discussion forums, chat rooms. Yahweh is listening in.
If Yahweh is listening, let's make our conversation a holy offering to Him. Let's keep Him as the focus of our conversations.
Yahushua said:
Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Though we may not think much about it, both the Father and Son are very interested in being a part of our fellowship.
1John 1:1 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life --
1John 1:2 - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us --
1John 1:3 - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father and with His Son Yahushua Messiah.
Let's say, "Welcome to our fellowship, Almighty Yahweh and Yahushua. May it be pleasing in your sight."
He's here. He's here amongst us. When we have that fellowship, let's be careful how we conduct ourselves. Yahweh is watching. Yahushua is in the midst of us.
1Peter 3:8 - Finally, all [of you be] of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, [be] tenderhearted, [be] courteous;
1Peter 3:9 - not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
These things need to be set aside. Our enemy is not our brother. Our brother is a companion of Yahweh. Maybe he's not perfect, but neither are you.
John 3:11 - "Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
John 3:12 - "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
These are the heavenly things. This is the high calling. This is the way of eternal life. Spiritual dangers are not always wrapped up in the gift wrapping of false doctrine. Spiritual dangers are often gift wrapped in false accusation, evil for evil, reviling for reviling, and a lack of true love for the brethren.
1John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Yahushua Messiah and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of Elohim; and everyone who loves is born of Elohim and knows Elohim.
1John 4:11 - Beloved, if Elohim so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1John 4:12 - No one has seen Elohim at any time. If we love one another, Elohim abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
2John 1:5 - And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
1Peter 2:17 - Honor all [people]. Love the brotherhood. Fear Elohim. Honor the king.
1Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
Many people have problems finding fellowship, because they meet others who do not live up to their standards, and so they find themselves on a spiritual island, because nobody is good enough for them.
It's been well said that if you ever find the perfect assembly, you would not be able to attend it. Who are the true brethren? Who are the true ones that we're looking for? Who are the ones that are truly Yahweh's people?
Matthew 12:50 - "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
Mark 3:35 - "For whoever does the will of Elohim is My brother and My sister and mother."
Luke 8:21 - But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of Elohim and do it."
We hear it, and we do it. Someone might say, "That person over there says he's a brother, but he's not a true brother, because a true brother would not do this or that."
Fill in the blank. And so because he did not obey Yahweh in that particular area, he must not be a brother, and they'll quote these three scriptures.
If someone chooses to make that kind of judgment, he needs to be very, very careful. You are literally judging whether or not somebody has salvation when you make that statement.
When we make such a judgment, remember Yahushua said, "For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again."
For the rest of your life, your own righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the one you're judging. Maybe you're failing in some area -- maybe not today, maybe someday in the future. "With judgment you judge, ye shall be judged."
We don't want to receive that kind of judgment. Maybe we fail and sin in something, and we end up, because we're so judgmental, judging ourselves right out of the kingdom.
The truth is we don't really know, necessarily, the heart of a man like Yahweh does. Ultimately, Yahweh knows those who are His.
2Timothy 2:19 - Nevertheless the solid foundation of Elohim stands, having this seal: "YAHWEH knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Messiah depart from iniquity."
Many are quick to say, "That person is not a brother, because they do this particular thing wrong or that particular thing wrong."
Maybe they don't obey a certain commandment in the same way they do it. Do they consider they may be failing in some other area of their life?
Maybe we judge someone because they're failing in one area and don't understand that the way we do, we cast them off and reject them totally as being believers; whereas in another particular area we're failing, and we don't even know it.
Do you see how dangerous that is? Maybe they're blind in something or another, but maybe we're blind in something or another, and we just don't know it. With what judgment we judge, we shall be judged.
The key thing is this. Has the person really truly repented? Are they truly seeking to do the will of the heavenly Father? Do they love the Word of Yahweh? Do they believe in Yahushua, and have they received Him?
Suppose you think they have not. Taking the position, "That person is my enemy and not my brother; therefore I don't have to care and love him like I do my brother" -- Yahushua said, "Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to those that hate you. Pray for them that despitefully use you."
Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
There's no way around it. We have to love. We have to love our brother, our neighbor, and even our enemies.
It's true that King David did have a hatred for certain ones. Who were they?
Psalms 139:21 - Do I not hate them, O YAHWEH, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
These are Yahweh's enemies, the ones that will never repent. David, being inspired by the Spirit of Yahweh, could make an accurate judgment. We can also. But I'll tell you one thing. If we make that judgment, we'd better be right.
What if our brother continually sins against us over and over and over again? Is he still our brother? It doesn't sound like he's bearing the fruits of the Spirit.
Matthew 18:15 - "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
What usually happens, when thy brother trespasses against thee, it's more typical for people to go and tell others about his fault. A lot of times it's couched in, "Oh, I need to seek counsel." "Oh, we need to pray for him."
No, you're supposed to go to him, you and him alone. If he will hear you, you've gained your brother. If he asks for forgiveness, forgive him.
Luke 17:3 - "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:4 - "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, `I repent,' you shall forgive him."
You might have a hard time believing someone would actually do that. Seven times a day trespass against me, and then seven times come back and say, "I repent" doesn't sound like he's repenting. Sounds like he's just repeating it over and over, just "I repent," does it again.
Yahushua said, "Take heed to yourselves." Watch out for yourselves here. It's for your own benefit that you rebuke and that you forgive upon his declaration of repentance.
You might wonder, "How can that person really have repented after sinning seven times in a day and then coming to me seven times in a day and saying, 'Forgive me.'?"
But maybe, just maybe we might exceed seven sins a day in our own sins against Yahweh. And yet, what do we say? "Forgive me; I repent."
Dangerous territory, isn't it? Very dangerous territory to not forgive. If we're the one being rebuked and reproved, it's very important that we don't get offended and confuse that rebuke with some desire to strive or argue on the part of the one giving us the rebuke.
I think it's wise to consider another person's rebuke, even if we disagree totally or view it as some kind of attack. I like what David said in Psalm 141. He said, "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness. Let him reprove me. It shall be an excellent oil which shall not break my head. For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities."
He'll pray for them, too. Consider a reproof as a kindness, even if they smite us. Let it be considered an excellent oil. Our attitude toward correction ought to be one of receiving it.
Proverbs 9:8 - Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
Proverbs 15:32 - He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of YAHWEH [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honor [is] humility.
Proverbs 17:10 - Rebuke is more effective for a wise [man] Than a hundred blows on a fool.
Proverbs 19:25 - Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, [and] he will discern knowledge.
Proverbs 27:5 - Open rebuke [is] better Than love carefully concealed.
Doesn't that tell us how important it is to consider reproof? I know there are some times when correction is not correct. There are times when rebuke is rooted in bitterness. There are times when reproof is not rooted in a Spirit-led matter, except by an unclean spirit.
Still, for them to correct us is not an evil thing. You don't have to look at it as being an evil thing automatically. Let me put it that way. Take it as an opportunity to examine yourself.
Jeremiah 15:15 - O YAHWEH, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.
Men were rebuking Jeremiah, apparently, right and left, because he was doing what was right, and they were not, and so they rebuked him, thinking he was the wrong one.
If the rebuke is from our Master, it's always correct. I think it's wise to just pray when we encounter that rebuke, and do not immediately strive with them, but consider it. Yahushua said:
Revelation 3:19 - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Look at it as an opportunity to receive Yahushua's love when someone brings you reproof or when you go through chastening. Be zealous and repent. What if Yahweh was trying to use another person to rebuke us, and we fight against it? What if it's our pride that's blinding our eyes and not our wisdom that's justifying it or disagreeing with it? We need to be fearful and be careful, lest we're found fighting against Yahweh.
Proverbs 29:1 - He who is often rebuked, [and] hardens [his] neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Very serious matters. We should fear, lest we are fighting against Yahweh. If we do rebuke another person, and they are brought to repentance, that's something we need to be very careful about ourselves.
Here we are. We brought the rebuke to another person. They have asked for forgiveness. They have repented. We need to be very, very careful that we do forgive. Yahushua gave a parable regarding this very thing. Kepha asked Him a question.
Matthew 18:21 - Then Peter came to Him and said, "Master, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Matthew 18:22 - Yahushua said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:23 - "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Matthew 18:24 - "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
Matthew 18:25 - "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
Matthew 18:26 - "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, `Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
Matthew 18:27 - "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Matthew 18:28 - "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took [him] by the throat, saying, `Pay me what you owe!'
Matthew 18:29 - "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
Matthew 18:30 - "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
Matthew 18:31 - "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Matthew 18:32 - "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Matthew 18:33 - `Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
Matthew 18:34 - "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
Matthew 18:35 - "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
That's a very, very serious salvational matter. Do not take it lightly. The next time you have difficulty forgiving someone for doing some wrong against you, take a moment and consider how many, many times you've sinned against Yahweh and are in need of His forgiveness. I'm pretty sure that would be a hundred pence versus ten thousand talents.
We need to forgive. It is not worth it to not forgive. It's not worth it. We don't want to be delivered to the tormentors. We need to forgive our brother from the heart. Whether we forgive a brother or not can literally make a difference in whether we will enter into life or not, so unforgiveness is very dangerous.
Do we truly forgive from the heart? We have to ask ourselves that.
Mark 11:25 - "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 - "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
It all works out. In regards to our willingness to forgive another person, let's not forget the pit from which we were pulled. Forgiving others should be a normal part of our life on earth, as a part of how Yahushua taught us to pray on a daily basis. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:14 - "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Wow, that's a promise. You notice He places the emphasis, in regards to prayer, He places emphasis on forgiving another person. He gives us an important promise that He will forgive, if we're willing to forgive. If we're not willing to forgive, He won't be willing to forgive us, either.
Contemplate that for awhile. Anyone who is holding bitterness, contemplate that for awhile.
Hebrews 12:12 - Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
Hebrews 12:13 - and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all [people], and holiness, without which no one will see YAHWEH:
Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of Elohim; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Bitterness defiles, and defilement affects how a bitter person treats others and how they treat the one they're bitter toward. The lack of love comes through their actions, their attitude. We need to not fail to show mercy to others and by that end up falling short of Yahweh's grace for ourselves.
He says, "Looking carefully, lest anyone falls short of the favor of Yahweh." Fall short of His grace. Because if a root of bitterness comes up and causes trouble, you become defiled and fall short of Yahweh's grace. It's not worth it. It's not worth it to be bitter.
Leviticus 19:16 - `You shall not go about [as] a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I [am] YAHWEH.
That's what often happens when someone is bitter. They go up and down like a talebearer, and speak all manner of evil, and refuse to even go to the person directly.
Sometimes they're not even correct, but they only think it's correct, because they think the person is already of ill character; therefore, everything that person does is viewed through those glasses, even if it's totally innocent action.
Exodus 23:1 - "You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Everything that we repeat as accusations toward another person, we'd better be right. We'd better be right, or we're spreading a false report. We're going around as talebearers and slanderers.
It doesn't say they'll know you're His disciples by how well you are being a talebearer and how many reports you can give. No, it's by your love. You wouldn't want that done to you, so don't do it to another.
Psalms 15:1 - <> YAHWEH, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
Psalms 15:2 - He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
Psalms 15:3 - He [who] does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
There's that tongue. The tongue only weights a few ounces, but it can do a lot of damage.
Proverbs 11:13 - A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Whenever you have someone come to you and say, "I'm going to tell you something, but don't tell anybody," look out. They're probably doing the same about you to somebody else.
Proverbs 20:19 - He who goes about [as] a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
Oh, yeah, there are people out there who will speak well of you when you're in their presence, and they'll talk about how bad everyone else is. And guess what? When they go to somebody else, they're doing the same thing to you. They're talking about how good the other person is and how bad you are.
There's a very good chance that's exactly what's happening whenever you see somebody do that.
Don't meddle with a person like that. They're trying to control you through their flattery, because you don't want to disappoint them, right? Look how bad they're talking about these other people. You don't want to be like that, right? It's manipulation and control.
Ephesians 4:31 -
Ephesians 4:32 -
Just like Yahweh forgave you, you forgive.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of YAHWEH, and He will lift you up.
James 4:11 - Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
James 4:12 - There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
If you judge the law, you're not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another?
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as [the] elect of Elohim, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:13 - bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Messiah forgave you, so you also [must do].
The next time you might feel compelled to grumble about another brother, remember the door. The door. Don't forget the door. If you want to grumble about some other brother, don't forget the door! You ask, "What do you mean, the door?"
James 5:9 - Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
Don't forget the door. Just as the Messiah forgives, so should we forgive. Someone asked, "What if they don't ask for forgiveness? Should you forgive?" Well, I guess you might say you don't have to, but think about this for a moment.
Do you always ask Yahweh for forgiveness for every little thing you do wrong? Are there areas in your life that you are probably wronging Him, but ignorantly, blindly don't even realize it? Do you want Him to forgive you for those things? I think you found your answer.
I think we all want Yahweh to forgive us for not only the sins that we are aware of and ask forgiveness for. I think we also want Him to forgive us for things that we forget to ask Him to forgive us for, and I think we want Him to forgive us for the things that we don't even know we're doing wrong.
Even though He may show us clearly in His Word, and we should see it, we're just blind to it, because of our own stubbornness, or unwillingness to see, or hardness of heart.
Maybe there's a brother or somebody you know right now, you've told them over and over they've done this wrong to you, and they won't listen and won't ask for forgiveness. So should you forgive them?
With what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. Don't ever forget that. Yahushua takes the beatings, mocking and spittings of the enemy and says, "Father, forgive them."
Do we receive one ounce of this respect from someone else and then lash out like we've been slain? Look at all He went through, and He did not react in the flesh one time.
What happens is one person acts in the flesh and hurts another person. That person reacts in the flesh and hurts another person. That person reacts in the flesh and hurts another person, and Satan is just sitting back and having a good old time watching it all.
Someone's got to react as Yahushua reacted. That will put a stop to it. We're all called to act like He acted. We're all called to walk as He walked. Walking as He walked is not just keeping the Sabbath and keeping Torah. Walking as He walked doesn't mean just, well, you go and keep the feast days and eat kosher and these things.
I talk a lot about that, but that's not all. I'm not going to hold up this t-bone steak and say I've got the whole cow. There's a whole other realm over here that we're called to walk, and it's called being willing to suffer when others wrong us.
How many times do we not dish out the mercy that we hope to receive? How many times do we say, "I'm not willing to suffer," when, in reality, it's Yahweh who's given us that cross? I don't mean cross as in necessarily a crisscross.
I'm talking about the tree that Yahushua said, "You cannot even be my disciple unless you're willing to take up that stake and follow me."
That means we've got to be willing to suffer like He did--not just for our brethren, but for our enemies, in the hopes they will see Yahushua in us and that they will turn.
We need to serve one another in love. When someone does us evil for the good we've done to them, that is something actually to rejoice about. In fact, leap for joy!
Luke 6:22 - Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile [you], and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake.
Luke 6:23 - Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward [is] great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Imagine that. Just jump up and say halleluYah! Why? For indeed your reward is great in heaven.
Never forget, brethren, that a servant is not above his master. A disciple is not above his teacher.
Matthew 10:24 - "A disciple is not above [his] teacher, nor a servant above his master.
Matthew 10:25 - "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [will they call] those of his household!
Let's serve one another in love, no matter how we are treated in return.
Galatians 5:13 - For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not [use] liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:15 - But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Galatians 5:16 - I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
When someone comes to you in a very fleshly manner, remember they're operating in the spirit of Adam, that flesh, and we don't have that anymore. We have the Spirit of Yahweh dwelling in us, and so we don't need to react in the flesh. We're not chained to it. We're set free from it.
We need to realize we are actually all in a battle together against one adversary. Every time we sin against our brother, we are choosing the way of Satan's kingdom and joining forces with him to destroy the brethren. When we react in the flesh, that's what we're doing.
We need to be soldiers of Yahweh's army, a people that choose righteousness in return for wickedness, a people that choose love in return for hatred, and choose humility in return for pride, and choose to serve in return for selfishness.
If we do that, brethren, we will be the strongest army on the face of the earth. We are the soldiers, and Yahushua is the Head of the army.
What army would stand if they, themselves, are fighting and devouring one another? Yahweh would often throw His enemies into confusion during the various wars. We need to act like Yahweh's army, not the army of His enemies.
We need to be aware that we're not sowers of dissension or the source of strife, or we may get removed from the army. We may get dishonorably discharged.
Yahweh hates those that sow discord. He considers it to be an abomination.
Proverbs 6:16 - These six [things] YAHWEH hates, Yes, seven [are] an abomination to Him:
Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:18 - A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness [who] speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
These last two things often go hand-in-hand. A false witness speaking lies in turns sows discord among the brethren. Verse 18 often comes before that: a heart that devises wicked imaginations. That's what gives birth to the false witness that speaks lies, which, in turn, sows discord among the brethren.
They're swift to do it. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood come before that.
They're destroying their fellow man. It is a spirit of murder coming from the prideful look and a lying tongue, which inspires a heart that devises wicked imaginations, and they're swift to run and be a false witness speaking lies; and, therefore, culminating in sowing discord among the brethren. We see the process.
It's a very dangerous thing to be the one that starts any kind of dissension.
Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
Leviticus 19:17 - `You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
The world does not like rebuke, and it may think you're being hateful or judgmental when you rebuke. Rebuking our neighbor is part of loving him. If we love him, we will want to see him walk in the will of Yahweh. We will want to see him cease from sin.
So we'll come to him with our rebuke, but we need to remember Galatians 6:1.
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
What often happens is one who's not spiritual seeks to bring the reproof and does not do it in a spirit of gentleness, and so they go out with a high and mighty spirit, peering down their nose at the other person, and then they end up getting tempted in the same area, and they end up falling.
We need to consider that we might be tempted ourselves if we come in here with some kind of carnal pride in an effort to rebuke and reprove. We need to make sure we come in humility and restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. If we don't, and we come in the flesh:
Matthew 5:22 - "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, `Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, `You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
We should never rebuke out of hatred and wild and false accusations. Hatred toward a brother is very dangerous. Hatred toward a brother is what caused the first murder ever committed. The first man who was born of a woman was a murderer.
It's impossible to love Yahweh when we hate our brother. I've heard of situations where two people who claimed to be believers were married, and one said, "I just don't love that other person anymore."
That's interesting, because if you don't love your own spouse, you must not love Yahweh.
1John 3:10 - In this the children of Elohim and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of Elohim, nor [is] he who does not love his brother.
Whose child do we desire to be? Very strong words on the subject, very strong words. We need to be sure we're not falling short in this area.
We want to be the children of Yahweh, and so let's love one another and not bear grudges and not have bitterness in our hearts.
In what manner should we forgive other people? Remember that Yahweh defines very well how He forgives. Yahweh defines in a very beautiful way how He forgives.
Psalms 103:11 - For as the heavens are high above the earth, [So] great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
Psalms 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalms 103:13 - As a father pities [his] children, [So] YAHWEH pities those who fear Him.
Psalms 103:14 - For He knows our frame; He remembers that we [are] dust.
Psalms 103:15 - [As for] man, his days [are] like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
Psalms 103:16 - For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more .
Psalms 103:17 - But the mercy of YAHWEH [is] from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children,
Yahweh remembers that we are dust. He knows our frame and that we're just like a flower of the field. Let's remember that our brother is dust, also. Let's allow our mercy to be everlasting, also.
Let's remember that His mercy is as high as the heavens are above the earth. Some might say, "EliYah, what if somebody is in an abusive situation? Maybe they have a husband that comes home drunk every night and beats the snot out of them and then ask for forgiveness in the morning."
Pretty easy way to handle that. The next time he comes home and tries to beat the snot out of you, call the police. The only reason he does it is because he can get away with it.
That'll settle it. It's illegal. It's against the law. It is against the law. They'll sit in jail. I've found, many times, they'll stop, and the only reason they do it is because they can get away with it.
If they continue to do it, then they'll be in jail even longer. If that doesn't work, if civil authorities don't work, I personally don't have a problem with saying, okay--somebody, every time I walk within three feet of him, he punches me in the nose, but every time afterward he asks for forgiveness.
I walk within three feet of him, say, 30-40 times, and every time I've done it, he's punched me in the nose, and he's asked for forgiveness afterward.
Is it a lack of forgiveness if I don't want to walk within three feet of him anymore? No. No, it's not. The person has violated trust, and it's that person who needs to be responsible and rebuild that trust again.
In an abusive situation, if those who are supposed to be in authority are not being held accountable, I have no problem with a woman not going within three feet of the man, which may include leaving the premises and going somewhere where it is safe.
But if the person has repented, and the person does stop, then what kind of mercy are we supposed to give? What kind of forgiveness are we supposed to give?
Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
We don't repeat it. We don't need to repeat it. They repented of that. They've turned away from that. I'm pretty sure we don't want Yahweh repeating the things that we do, and holding grudges, and having bitterness. Of course, Yahweh doesn't do that.
If your brother sins against you, and you ask him to repent, and he doesn't want to hear you, what do you do?
Matthew 18:16 - "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that `by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
From what I see, it's the assembly that makes the decision if a person is not to be associated anymore with the body of Messiah. It's the assembly that makes the decision that that person is not a believer.
But what happens often is someone of their own accord and their own decision-making says that person is not a believer, even though they may confess to be.
If they do hear you, then rejoice. If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
We need to lay down all pride. Don't be afraid to tell our brother his sin, in gentleness, remembering to let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.
It's very easy to get prideful when you correct someone else. We need to never forget that we have also failed Yahweh. Let's have the attitude of seeking to help a brother get closer to Yahweh, out of true love for him, not out of exalting yourself.
Let's walk in love and humility. Let's have a sincere love for one another.
1John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother abides in death.
1John 3:15 - Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1John 3:16 - By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
Yahushua loves your brother so much, He laid down His life for him. Can we do that for one another?
I want you to think about the person that you may dislike the most in your life. Maybe he's done you much evil. Could you lay down your life for him or her? Yahushua did that. It's a good thing to ponder.
1John 2:7 - Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
1John 2:8 - Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
1John 2:9 - He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
1John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
No cause for stumbling. Many of us stumble over many things and have difficulties and challenges in being the kind of disciple we're called to be, but the one who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. How many are stumbling right now because of a lack of love for the brethren?
If we are to give up our very lives, if need be, to serve and to save another person, then the little things, the little acts of service, the denial of self ought to be nothing to speak of.
1John 2:11 - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
We say we're in the light. We say we love Torah and seek to live it. If we do, let us love and serve one another in truth, with joy, without grumbling and without complaining.
Does Yahweh complain about helping us, and serving us, and loving us? No. If His Spirit is dwelling in us, we will have the fruits of that.
If we have Yahweh's Spirit in us, then we will have those kind of fruits, not only toward the world, but toward our brothers and sisters, as well, and not just toward our brothers and sisters in the world, but also our immediate family, brothers and sisters, spouses and children.
In everything we do, let's walk in the Spirit. I know a lot of us have struggled in many areas and have a difficult time with bitterness. We have a difficult time trying to discern between where forgiveness begins and ends.
Today, I want you to think right now, between the brethren, we have no excuse. Let's walk in the Spirit and light of Yahweh, where longsuffering is, where patient is, where self-control is, where no bitterness dwells, where no hatred dwells, where no grudges dwell, but where peace dwells.
Where grudges, bitterness and ugliness toward one another dwell, that is where darkness dwells. Where love, and patience, longsuffering, kindness, self-control dwell, that's where Yahweh's Spirit dwells.
It's by those fruits all the world will know we are His disciples. If you have a grudge, cast it from your heart. Yahweh has commanded, "You shall not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. I am Yahweh."
Leviticus 19:18 - `You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I [am] YAHWEH.
Yahushua is coming for a pure bride. We don't have time to sit around and be bitter. Let's not risk our spiritual lives by failing to heed these precepts. Let's put away the flesh. Let's walk in the Spirit. Let's purify ourselves for the coming of Yahushua, that we might be without spot and without blemish.
The feast days are coming up. We're all going to live together for a week. I remember last year how beautiful it really was. I felt that we truly dwelt together in unity, for the most part.
These principles are something we want to make sure we are willing to follow. I've always said you don't really know a person until you live with them for about three weeks. Then you find out what they're about. One week, most people can handle it. Three weeks, then all the impurities come to the surface.
For some people, even one week is a difficult time. We need to be careful that we're not letting our bitterness toward another person affect the way we treat the brethren. "I've seen someone act like that before, and this is what they did to me, and we're still bitter about it." We need to get healing.
Right now, Yahushua is not just someone that can heal us physically of cancers, of infirmities. He is someone that can heal us in our heart. He can reach down and literally heal us in our heart of whatever pain that we are feeling in our hearts. That's one of the reasons why He came.
Luke 4:18 - "The Spirit of YAHWEH [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
He can heal you. So let's purify ourselves. Let's put away the flesh. Let's walk in the Spirit.
Let's seek to be without spot and without blemish, speaking often to one another, serving one another in honor, preferring one another, considering one another better than ourselves, being courteous, being tenderhearted, outdoing one another in love, with peace and a joyful, willing heart, to be longsuffering, to walk in the way of patience.
Walk in the way of true, undefiled love for one another. Blessed are those so doing when our Master comes. May Yahweh bless you. May He have mercy on us all.
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