Crunchtime:
Real Love Instructions
By Jim Searcy
Yeshua tells us that a sure sign of the end is that the love of many will grow cold. Most "Christians" have very little, if any idea, of the love that Yeshua was talking about where you can tell who the REAL CHRISTIANS are because they love each other.
Let us look at some scriptures. Maybe we can see, the love that the Bible describes as a SIGN of the True Faith is a VERY SPECIFIC kind of love. SO SPECIFIC, in fact: that unless one IS a born-again child of G-d, he CANNOT show ANY of this love.
1John.4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of G-d; and everyone that loveth is born of G-d, and knoweth G-d. He that loveth not knoweth not G-d; for G-d is love.
1John.4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved G-d, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The term Herein is love, implies that a DEFINING EXAMPLE of love is about to be given. Remember: AGAPEO is a love that DOES SOMETHING, not just an "affectionate disposition", and here we see what G-d DID to show His love for us. G-d sent His Son to be the CURE for our SIN problem. This gives us a BIG CLUE about the kind of love that is altogether LACKING in Christendom today. The words, Not that we loved G-d, but that
He loved us; make a DISTINCTION between LOVE that comes FROM us, and the love that comes TO US from G-d. The LOVE with which the world loves his own IS NOT G-d's example of love. Even if a man does "selfless service" for another "because" he "loves" G-d, he may still fail to show forth the PARTICULAR love that is being discussed here. That we are obliged to show others the SAME KIND of love that G-d Himself has shown to us is implied in the next verse.
1John.4:11 Beloved, if G-d so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
The word "so", may ALSO include the idea of HOW MUCH love we ought to show, and the context suggests this. However; this word "so", is HOUTOS, which means, "after this manner". What we ought to do here, is love one another in the SAME WAY that G-d loves us. The love that is being described HERE is a PARTICULAR KIND of "selfless service". It is a love that, ORIGINATING FROM G-D, embraces us, and CURES THE SIN PROBLEM.
If we love one another in THE SAME WAY that G-d loves US, we will be CURING each other's SIN PROBLEM. We must love one another with G-d's love, which love proceeds FROM G-d, and NOT FROM US, for you and I cannot cure anyone's sin problem. If you have received G-d's love, you are conscious of the fact that THAT love does not justify sins or grant any license to commit sin. Only if you have received that love, are you able to "duplicate" it, or pass it on. The conclusion is. . . if the LOVE that you show IS NOT a CURE for the SIN PROBLEM, you have NOT loved IN THE SAME WAY that G-d loves.
ALL OF THIS DETAIL is to prove something that is PLAINLY obvious anyway. If LOVING someone is to DO THE VERY BEST THING WE CAN for them; and if the BEST THING we can do for them is to HELP THEM SEE the TRUTH that can SAVE them and SET THEM FREE: then ANYTHING called "love" that does not reinforce and proclaim the SAVING and ETERNAL Truths of the Bible IS NOT love at all.
The "love" that reassures an unbeliever on his deathbed that, "Everything will be alright, just because G-d loves you", is not only NOT love according to G-d; but is ACTUALLY The Devil's BEST form of LIE. G-d so loved the world (John 3:16)....but millions are going to hell anyway, because they refuse the intention of that love; that we should be conformed to the image of His Son, Yeshua Messiah(Rom.8:29).
To GIVE REASSURANCES to ANYTHING that is not in accord with G-d's Truth from the Bible is to DO THE DEVIL'S WORK for him. MOST of what people now like to call "loving" can be described as SOOTHING THEM INTO HELL.
It ought to be obvious to you by now that "sentimental reassurances" ARE NOT that love, without which, the Bible says: we knoweth not G-d.
Consider how this next Scripture defines love in a way that is completely at ODDS with the popular notion of what love is.
1John.5:2-3 By THIS we know that we love the children of G-d, when we love G-d, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of G-d, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.
Have you NOTICED that there is not so much as ONE WORD in these Scriptures about HOW we TREAT EACH OTHER. If we love G-d, or if we love our brother; we do so BY keeping His commandments. Our L-rd Yeshua Messiah says EXACTLY the same thing:
Matt.22:37-39 Yeshua said unto them, Thou shalt love the L-rd thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Don't start WHINING: "But there is nothing in the 10 Commandments about telling POOR OLD DYING GRANNY that she is going to HELL if she doesn't believe THE RIGHT THINGS about Yeshua. . . . . . . WRONG!
The 2nd Commandment forbids you to bow (Exodus 20:5), that is, do obeisance, or make concessions, to ANY OTHER than the True and Only G-d. If you GRANT ASSURANCES that there is ANY other way to escape HELL and go to HEAVEN except through Yeshua Messiah AND the WAY that He HAS DESCRIBED; you have BOTH made Him out to be a LIAR, and disobeyed the 2nd Commandment. It is because the L-rd anticipated conflicts like this, that He said, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters....he CANNOT be My disciple (Luke 14:26).
The Gospel is so simple any child can understand it. Jesus Christ died for SINNERS, and He rose again from the dead. Anybody that will not admit that they are a SINNER will go to hell. Yeshua said in Matt., Mark, and Luke - I came not to call the righteous, but SINNERS to REPENTANCE.
THE SUMMARY OF THE MATTER IS THIS: We can only love our neighbour by loving G-d. If we do love G-d; we will keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments, we shall end up loving our neighbour. What the Godless world teaches, however, is the exact OPPOSITE: that if we are careful not to REBUKE, OFFEND, or CONDEMN our neighbour by BRINGING UP THE TRUTH, that we are "loving" them, and thereby also "loving" G-d.
Under the cover of this "sloppy agape", WHAT THERE REALLY IS, is the unwillingness to endure any persecution (Matt.13:21) for The Truth's sake: and THAT is because they are not really SURE about the doctrines they are so ready to assert when there's NO risk or cost involved.
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS
Lest anyone should think that all they have to do to fulfill Our L-rd's command to love one another is to "preach" to them; G-d has given us this CLEAR TESTIMONY to the necessity of DOING SOMETHING for our brothers and sisters in the Family of G-d.
1John.3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
While we are reminded that the love we are to show should be more than a matter of preaching; we are still reminded that TRUTH must be the source, center, and guide of that love. But by no means, does a willingness to preach to everyone dismiss you from the need to prove your love by deeds.
James.2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
The words, Can faith save him? bear directly on what was quoted before from 1 John 4:7: and everyone that loveth is born of G-d. The man who SAYS he has "faith", BUT does not love his brother cannot be saved by THAT "faith"; and he that loveth his brother does not say, "Good luck, but GET LOST" to his brother or sister in their time of need.
1John.4:8 He that loveth not, knoweth not G-d; for G-d is love.
It couldn't be more clearly stated than it is here. If one is truly born of G-d, they will have the love that is spoken of here. THIS love is a SELFLESS SERVICE that always CONFIRMS THE TRUTH and causes the one who has received that love to contemplate their relationship to G-d. Our L-rd Yeshua Messiah says the same thing:
Matt.5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
If you fail to let that light so shine (the light of Truth), then when men see your good works, they WILL NOT glorify your Father which is in heaven. Instead, they will just come to appreciate YOU: and you will end up confirming their faith in human nature, or luck, or in their own self-righteousness. Goodness and Truth CANNOT be divorced from each other, except when BOTH the "goodness" and the "truth" are FALSE and destructive: that is, NOT really goodness or truth at all.
The WORLD and Apostate Christendom teach us to show a "goodness" that exists with or without Truth; believing as they do, that their "goodness" is Truth itself. According to the G-d of the Bible, ANY act of "goodness" that does not confirm G-d's Truth becomes THE LIE OF SATAN. This has ALWAYS been the Devil's best form of lie; for by this kind of "goodness" he wishes to prove that "any religion" which is accompanied by sufficient public morality to gain the praise of men (John 12:43) will make a man righteous in G-d's sight.
THINK ABOUT IT. To show "goodness" that does not confirm the Truth of The G-d of The Bible is TO CONFIRM THE LIE of the Devil; and those who DO SO are the Devil's BEST representatives. The Devil is at war primarily with G-d, NOT US, and the destruction that he works on mankind is just one of the ways he attempts to discredit and malign Our L-rd Yeshua Messiah. If the Devil can prove that there is GOODNESS WITHOUT G-D or TRUTH APART FROM YESHUA MESSIAH, he has fully accomplished his purposes with mankind.
As it is, men all over the world are crying out: WHERE IS JUSTICE? G-d is despised for refusing to intervene in the affairs of men if He is acknowledged AT ALL. Men look around at all the "good works" they are doing and WONDER why G-d does not reward or protect them.
Job.35:9-10 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry; they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. But none saith, Where is G-d my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night?
The words G-d my Maker are the key to understanding this Scripture, for you could hardly say that the oppressed do not pray for help. BUT, they pray to a "g-d" of their own imagination; NOT the One and Only True G-d their maker; Who cannot be known ANY OTHER WAY except through Our L-rd Yeshua Messiah. Even those who call themselves "Christians" are guilty of this: for they imagine for themselves that they can "have" a Yeshua APART from His teachings. They have a FALSE Messiah, an IMAGINARY Christ; a "Christ" who will confirm their worldly philosophy, and smile with favor on their "sloppy agape". They even FLATLY DISAGREE with Our L-rd's teachings and DESPISE those teachings while they USE His Name.
They have a "goodness" WITHOUT Truth, or a "truth" without G-d, or a "g-d" who is not revealed EXCLUSIVELY through Yeshua Messiah, or a "yeshua" who would NOT SAY the things that the REAL Yeshua did: and so they have in fact rejected the G-d of the Bible. They never find the G-d, Who giveth songs in the night: the G-d Who counsels, comforts, and consoles those who worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him (John 4:23).
Even the demons can SAY that Our L-rd was Messiah, the Son of G-d (Luke 4:41), but this confession does not get them into heaven. The demons admit that there is only One G-d (James 2:10): but the thought is a TERROR to them; they need a "different g-d", one who is NOT LIKE the One G-d. Rather, they look to find a "g-d" who will leave them as they are and STILL love them like they are and LET THEM REMAIN like they are...... indefinitely. The men of THIS WORLD look for the same thing from their "gods".
They FOREVER want to be forgiven; but they also want to continue in their sin, their rebellion, and their lies forever. Those who REFUSE to TRULY REPENT think that if they "feel bad" about BEING BAD; everything will be O.K. They are ALWAYS READY to moan about their "failures" and admit to their "faults"; thinking that BY THIS they will escape The Judgment: but they WILL NOT FORSAKE their pride, their false doctrines, or the LIES that keep them from actually repenting.
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
The WORLDLY view of mercy PERMITS a man to CONTINUE INDEFINITELY in his wickedness and dishonesty. The MEN OF THIS WORLD want a g-d who will forgive them even if they NEVER change their ways. If G-d will not forgive them in spite of their REFUSAL to repent and change, they ACCUSE G-d of being merciless: and so, IN THE END, G-d would have to forgive The Devil to prove that He is merciful. THUS, they show "sympathy for The Devil": for if G-d will forgive THEM without repentance, JUSTICE will demand that He forgive The Devil as well.
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS is not selfless because a man has no hope of reward. Every one of us has continuous needs that we hope will be met. Even when we give our time, our money, our labor, or our very lives to another man without charge: there is HOPE OF REWARD from G-d or fate. THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS is selfless because it DOES NOT COME FROM US; but from G-d, and that love ALWAYS cures the sin problem. Consider how clearly the Apostle Paul asserts this:
Rom.2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of G-d leadeth thee to repentance?
Yet the "goodness" that originates from MAN or Satan leads you to believe that repentance is NOT NECESSARY. G-d saves us OUT OF and AWAY FROM our sins; not IN and WITH our sins. There will be NO SIN going on in heaven, and those who love their sins here WILL HAVE NO PLACE THERE.
1John.3:3 And every man that
hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.
1John 3:7-8 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that
doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He
that committeth sin is of The Devil; for The Devil sinneth from
the beginning. For this purpose the Son of G-d was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of The Devil.
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS is selfless because it DOES NOT PROTECT IT'S OWN REPUTATION. One who is loving with G-d's love is not attempting to "prove" to the world how "godly" and "good" they are.
Charity (love) vaunteth not itself (1 Cor. 13:4). MOST of the "love" that is being shown in Christendom today is for the sole purpose of embellishing one's own "testimony": it is the attempt to prove to others what "good Christians" they are; to POINT TO THEMSELVES as "examples" of "good people". They think they are DOING G-D A FAVOR when they do this, for they think of themselves as a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes (Romans2:20).
Sure many of them SAY "Thank G-d, not me"; but because their "goodness" does not proceed from and confirm The Truth, the END is still the same. Even their words, "Thank G-d, not me" only add to their OWN glory, because now the world can see that they are not only "generous", but "humble" as well. Actually, every professing Christian who practices a "goodness" without Truth becomes a little anti-Messiah, because THEY THEMSELVES get seen as the One Who is Good. Yeshua said:
There is none good but One, that is, G-d (Matt. 19:17).
Matt.23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries (proofs of their own holiness), and enlarge the borders of their garments (advance their own reputations).
They are ANTI-CHRISTS because the person they show their "goodness" towards is NOT left with the contemplation of G-d and truth; but with admiration for themselves. They all become little "saviors" and love to hear testimonies about how "godly" they are. They wish to be indispensable and irreplaceable in the lives of others. Our L-rd said: The truth shall make you free (John 8:32), but the truth that these men share makes you DEPENDENT ON THEM. By focusing your attention on THEIR "goodness", THEIR "power", and THEIR "revelation", they INSERT THEMSELVES between you and G-d; so that to approach to G-d, you MUST also draw near to them. They place themselves BETWEEN you and The Light of Truth, so that you fall under THEIR "shadow".
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS can be easily illustrated by the love that parents have for their children. If Baby won't quit playing with matches, you will eventually resort to PUNISHMENTS. Even if you LOVE that baby with all of your soul; and even if you cannot bear to see that baby cry; and even if you know that that baby will RESENT YOU if you spank her; and even if spanking that baby will hurt you deeply; and EVEN if you need that baby's affection more than anything else in the world; LOVE (concern for baby's welfare) WILL spank that baby until she quits playing with matches.
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS cares not that it may be accused of "having no love"; or that it may be accused of being CRUEL, or MERCILESS, or UNREASONABLE. Any one who loves another with THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS will never ask: But how will I look? BECAUSE you CARE SO MUCH for the welfare of that other person, that you are willing to endure slander, rejection, and even their hatred, in order to help them.
THE LOVE THAT IS ALWAYS SELFLESS will be loud, and demanding, and EVEN annoying; and RISK REJECTION by the very ones you love; if by doing so you may save them from GREATER HARM, or awaken them to their NEED FOR G-d.
YESHUA SAID: John.15:12-14 This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
NOW FOR SOME REAL HARDBALL - FOR IT IS CRUNCHTIME: RESISTING THE REPROOF OF LIFE
Ps.141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be (for them) in their calamities.
When someone confronts you about a sin or fault in such a way that you feel "caught", but the sin you are accused of looks SO defamatory that it frightens you; are you willing to yield and seek repentance out and away from your sin? Or are you more likely to be outraged, that some other "imperfect person" dares to find fault with you? When someone continues to remind you of your "besetting sin", can you just say "Amen, Lord have mercy", or do you seek opportunity for revenge? Do you invite reproof as a kindness, an excellent oil? Or do you like to think that only a self-righteous and critical person would ever dare to criticize you? Is it so, that anyone who dares to mention your "mote in your eye", ought to be immediately reminded that their attempt to reprove you is only the evidence of the "beam in their own eye"?
Yeshua prophesied, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." One of the most visible evidences of the fulfillment of this prophecy is that even among Christians, reproof is not welcome. Do you ever submit to reproof from anyone who has no carnal power to punish you for resisting? Are you unwilling to confront anyone else for their sins or errors, unless you are sure that there is no way for them punish you for doing so? Do you "fellowship in the light", or are you party to a multitude of "unspoken agreements", in which you will tolerate someone else's faults and errors, if only they will tolerate YOURS?
If someone complains about the terrible circumstances of their life, almost everyone will volunteer to pray for them, but only so they can escape from the inquiry into WHY such trouble came. If, as is usually expected, there is no answer to their prayer, they can remember that they prayed and excuse themselves from any further involvement.
Even if the connection between this person's sins and the consequences of his sins are clearly seen, there will probably be no open rebuke for fear of reprisals. If they face this troubled person again, they can always reassure them that God loves them, thereby making it "all God's fault", Who supposedly, didn't do anything to help. But what we really have here, is the case in which God did intervene by placing the word of correction in YOUR heart and mouth, even though He knew you wouldn't risk that other person's wrath by confronting them. So, in the end, you are judged as unfaithful and cowardly for failing to confront your brother, and the word of reproof is denied to the brother who needed to hear it because he was unteachable.
Besides, it is now commonly held, that anyone who would be so bold as to point out to someone else their sins has no love, or is guilty of unrighteous judging.
Prov.15:31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
There is no such thing as the fellowship of the saints without the reproof of life. Without it, all that is left is deception, guile, and alienation which are then relabeled as "patience, mercy, and tolerance". Everyone is careful not to step on anyone else's toes, lest they be accused of "the pot calling the kettle, black." Hence, you and everyone else are left in your sins and errors for years, while you excuse yourselves in the knowledge that "nobody's perfect".
What then? Is mercy nothing more than the self-serving willingness to wink at evil, dishonesty, hardheartedness, pride and stubbornness? Is the silent tolerance of one another's faults the expression of the love of God? Or is it rather, that all correction is grievous to you, and you hate reproof? Yeshua described the reality of the matter when he said:
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
That which makes manifest, is light. Therefore, one who walks in the light seeks to be exposed, and seeks also to surround himself with others who will speak the truth to him rather than flatteries. Those who seek for the kingdom of God and His righteousness do not despise the reproof of life: neither the giving of it, nor the receiving of it.
Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will heed the Words of our Saviour, who commanded us to love one another even as He loved us. In His own Words, He said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten..." (Rev. 3:19).
Certainly, if you go about sticking your nose into other people's business, you are inviting them to do the same to you, but Yeshua also said, "All things therefore that ye would that men SHOULD do to you, do ye even so unto them, for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt.7:12).
And to many, this means, "I'll leave you alone, so that you will leave me alone". You refuse to confront others about their sins and errors, because you refuse to receive reproof yourself. But, if you love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself, you will turn your ear to receive reproof, and you will do your utmost to extend the rule of Truth over all those around you, even if you can only do so at the risk of rejection and slander.
Isaiah 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
But no, you testify against yourself that your own deeds are evil, by avoiding the light, and letting everyone else live in the darkness also, with a depraved indifference to the consequences that they may suffer for their sins, as long as you get to maintain your reputation as a nice guy. You will let those who are living in destruction because of their sins, believe that it is God who is ignoring them, instead of you. And if anyone dares to confront you about your sins, you have already treasured up in the secret darkness of your heart all of the charges that you can bring against this person in retaliation.
You are glad that THEY are NOT PERFECT, for you think that gives you the right to refuse any reproof from them. You can always find SOME REASON to deny that you are being smitten by a RIGHTEOUS man, and then account your freedom to snub and dismiss him as Divine vindication.
If your counter-charges don't shut him up or make him go away, you can always feign hurt and injury, in the hope that he will be afraid of sinning against you, or that someone else will come rushing to your defense. How CONVENIENT it is to presume that this self-righteous, unloving, and malicious accuser, doesn't have any idea how much you have been through!
Thus, what we have among "Christians" now, instead of fellowship, is UNREPENTANCE reinforced by some presumed "right of privacy" that is supposed to protect and justify a heart full of darkness, errors, and wounds. And THIS, is just another example of the rejection of the Words of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, who said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
No, you have already decided that anyone who complains to you about your attitudes, doctrines, or actions, could not possibly be sent by Yeshua Messiah for your benefit. It will be quickly pointed out that nobody is perfect, meaning that since I am not perfect, I have no right to stick my nose into your business.
I often wonder if those who think Jim is judgmental, will ever think that is a judgmental thing for them to think? Is the judgment founded upon the Word of God, it may not be judgmental but rather shocking genuine love, which is so very different than the feigned affection taught in apostate 501c3 churches.
Were the Apostles PERFECT? Are you also prepared to insist that Yeshua would never send someone to warn you about your sins and errors? And what if you are the one who is being sent to confront your brother about his sins? Do you refuse on the grounds that he is likely to retaliate, just like you would? Will you leave him in his error or his sin, with a complete disregard for the ruin that he could suffer for it?
Will you END UP JUDGING the command of the Holy Ghost to confront this brother, as a temptation to either sin or bring needless trouble on yourself? Do you want to be reconciled to your brother? or do you wish he would "just go away" so that you will not be burdened or inconvenienced by him?
If you habitually refuse to hear those around you, and instead, regard their complaints about you as nothing more than their own carnal and personal dislikes, how many times do you suppose you have been guilty of rejecting "the reproof of life"?
How many times have you realized a conviction that you should go and reprove your brother, and you refused, and even judged the command of the Holy Ghost as a provocation to do evil? We are warned that we will not be excused for this offence.
You are a respected and honored Bible teacher in your church. Your brethren in the congregation recognize you as a blessing and a faithful laborer. Some are even awed by your knowledge of the Bible and wouldn't miss a chance to hear you teach. These same people also see problems in your life. Your brethren don't say anything to you, because they are afraid that you will denounce them for challenging your authority, warn them to "mind their own business", or retaliate by "meddling" in their affairs.
They justify themselves under the guise of being merciful and forgiving, and all the while, the situation continues to deteriorate.
One day it finally gets totally out of hand, and it is downright embarrassing. In a panic, and more out of a fear for your reputation than anything else, you call these "friends" and ask them to pray .... for the one offending you, OF COURSE, who is in the process of committing this very great sin against you. They all solemnly promise to pray for you and them, asking God to restore and heal your relationship. And still, they refuse to reprove you for your pride, malice, and vengefulness, because to do so now, would be to reveal that they KNEW all along, but were too cowardly and selfish to "get involved".
And of course, all the while these things have been going on, you have noticed the sins of your brethren; but you haven't said anything either, and for the same reason: The NEED to maintain that unwritten and unspoken wicked agreement to not meddle in each other's affairs: and you will continue to insist that this mutual toleration of sin and error is a some kind of "fruit of the Spirit".
Then there will be expressions of sympathy, but no one is likely to take into account that their prayers were unanswered, or why. Your brethren, who are now full of opinions about what you did wrong, will likely listen patiently and silently while you justify yourself of any wrongdoing in the matter. They will be relieved when you finally judge that you just fell victim to "one of those things" that befall men in this world. They will be relieved when you make this judgment, because now they don't have to worry about being accused for their treachery against you, for not speaking the truth to you about your errors, in the first place.
What a despicable and horrifying pretence of religion this is, where men will refuse to reprove or be reproved, about ANYTHING. The church in this example is your typical, FRIENDLY church, where everyone is duly sympathetic and where no one is likely to confront you for your ongoing, unrepented of sins, unless they reach the category of scandal: in which case, they can take the courage to criticize you from the crowd at their back.
There is no fellowship of the saints because no one will grant to anyone else the right to interfere with their so-called "personal business", and no one is willing endure any rejection or persecution for righteousness sake.
So, marriages fail, children turn away in bitterness and rebellion, tragedies strike, and the beat goes on: Shabbat after Shabbat, without letup, without repentance, without deliverance, and without salvation from the common miseries of this life. Rather, you are accounted righteous if you maintain your calm and steadfast exterior while sicknesses take their toll and disasters or failure ruin your dreams.
Those who are accounted the most righteous, are those who patiently endure the wages of sin without putting anyone else on the spot to answer the question: Why?
Scenarios like this are played out without interruption in the churches of Christendom: reproof is despised, and there is no seeking after the righteousness of God. It is no wonder that the prophet wrote:
Isa.26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
This flight from righteousness and responsibility has been going on for so long that no one takes account of the fact that the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is rarely, if ever, realized. Oh, there may be bizarre manifestations of slaying in the spirit, gold fillings, holy laughter, BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OF THE CHANGED LIFE WHERE THE SINNING IS STOPPED IS NOT EVIDENT. They are simply taught OSAS, and how to feel good about their sins. After all we are not under law we are under grace. What LAW? Oyveh!
No one dares to say the things that the Holy Spirit of God will inspire, so the Spirit is quenched, grieved, and eventually ceases from His striving with us. We want miracles of deliverance, and healing of sicknesses, but not if that means delivering the reproof of life to someone who may resent it.
For instance, you know someone whose health problems are intimately connected to their obesity BUT rather than reprove this person for gluttony, you will only be willing to pray for this person's health and then blame them or yourself for a lack of faith when your prayer is ignored.
Neither are we willing to speak a word that may drive away the insincere or the hypocrite. Therefore we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. And this is a sufficient explanation as to why the churches and even the pulpits of Christendom are full of unbelievers who never had any intention of obeying whatsoever Messiah has commanded us.
BUT NO, all kinds of bogus explanations will be given to explain why we are powerless, and everything gets blamed on some kind of 'mysterious' problem for which there is no answer.
Prov.15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Where does this hatred of correction lead us? It leads us to failure and corruption, because correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way. Hatred of correction, unchecked and unrepented of, leads finally to the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The influence of the Spirit will be rejected on the grounds that "the Holy Spirit would never say that to me!", or, "the Holy Spirit would never tell me to say that to him!"
Despising the reproof of life is a sure road to a dry, powerless and frustrating religion, and ultimately, the path to ruin. In spite of all your religious profession, if you despise, refuse, and reject the reproof of life, the Bible says that you have forsaken the way that leads to life.