The Coziness of Family Life Takes Away the Power

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18.

This hatred has sneaked in slowly and steadily, resulting in persecution. The enemies encamp around the walls of Jerusalem, and there the armies stay close together. However, within dwell all those who are born by the Jerusalem which is from above. The wall is the soul’s faithfulness toward God. It seems as if one is permitted to persecute and hurt the believer. The reproach—the reproach of Christ, hatred, and persecution go together. However, we are to be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Nowadays there is much faltering between two sides. One makes an effort to be man’s friend and God’s friend; a friend of the world and a friend of the eternal blessings. This does not work. He who wants to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. The form of godliness might seemingly lay hold of both the one and the other, but the power is absent and then the form avails little. It may deceive people, but it will never deceive God. Now there are many Christians who with all their might hold on to the “coziness” of family life. The result of this is that the soul falls away. In this way there are not three against two and two against three in the same house. One melts together as nice and pleasant people. Converted and unconverted have everything in common. However, the power is gone. The power that in reality should separate between the pure and impure does not exist. The “coziness” of family life has swept the power away so that only the form of godliness is left. Is this right? Is this love? If it is, it is only love according to the flesh. God’s Spirit wars against the flesh, even against carnal love. Not those who know the will of God are His disciples, but everyone who does it. Remember this and live accordingly; then the power will come.