Love Everyone, Choose Your Friends Wisely

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3 (KJV)

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)

In the body of Christ, believers are brethren — brothers and sisters in the Lord because they are joined by the Spirit of God.

Yet in many assemblies today, the meaning of fellowship has been misunderstood. Some measure unity by control or conformity, believing that every believer must act the same, think the same, or move in the same circle — by how often one is seen, how frequently one attends gatherings, or how visibly one participates in activities.

But **true unity is not uniformity**; it is harmony born of revelation.

True brotherly love is not measured by presence — it is revealed by sincerity.

William Branham warned that the world system was trying to imitate God’s pattern of unity through control and force, saying:

“They are trying to force all men into communism, where every man has everything commonly.” — The Unity of One God in the One Church (58-1221E

He noted that such imitation mirrors the early Church in appearance, but the enemy perverted it —

“that was the condition of the Church under the Holy Spirit, on the Day of Pentecost…” — 58-1221E

Sadly, that same spirit sometimes creeps into the Church, where leadership or believers mistake obedience for ownership, and unity becomes pressure instead of love. They expect believers to act the same, think the same, or move in the same circle to prove loyalty.

But God never forces unity; He invites it.

“God does not force man to do anything. You do it on your own free will. He can warn you, throw a barricade across your path.” — 58-1221E

True unity is the work of the Holy Spirit; it cannot be organized or demanded. It is shown not by constant visibility but by the sincerity of the heart towards one another,  how we treat one another, speak of one another, and pray for one another when we are apart.

Absence does not equal disconnection.

Real brotherly love flows freely — not from pressure, but from a heart that chooses to walk in love and truth.

As brethren in Christ, we don’t measure fellowship by presence, but by purity of love.

We may not be in every house or event, yet we remain one in Spirit — because **true love doesn’t need force to prove it.**

🌾 Come with me to the Verse of the Day

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you…” — John 13:34–35 (KJV)

🕊️ Topic: Love Everyone, Choose Your Friends Wisely

💭 Reflection:

As believers, we cannot choose who to love — love is a commandment, not an option.
It is not something we feel; it is something we obey. We are to love every one of us because we are brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Just as we didn’t choose the siblings or family we were born into, we also didn’t choose the family of Christ we are part of today. We have no control over that — the Lord Himself added us to this Body.
👉 As Romans 12:10 reminds us, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
This shows that loving one another is not a feeling but a command we are instructed to keep among the brethren.

But what we do have control over is who we keep close — our acquaintances and friends.
Just as we have siblings but still choose friends carefully, in the same way we come to church and love everyone, yet not everyone becomes part of our inner circle.
We may greet, worship, and serve together, but spiritual friendship goes deeper than familiarity — it rests upon shared truth, character, and agreement in the Word.

The Scripture says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). True friendship must be built on agreement in the faith, not just association.
👉 Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
And Proverbs 18:24 adds, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Such verses show that true friendship is precious and rare — it is based on loyalty, faith, and spiritual agreement, not convenience.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated this principle.
Though He loved all, He chose to be close to the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. The Bible says, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” (John 11:5). He often visited their home, ate with them, and found rest there.

That home was not built on wealth or status — it was a home of faith, reverence, and understanding of who He was.
When Martha opened her home, Mary opened her heart, and Lazarus became a living testimony of His resurrection power. Their fellowship with Christ was not one of convenience but of revelation. They knew who He was — not just a miracle worker, but the Christ, the Son of God.

So while Jesus loved multitudes, healed thousands, and fed crowds, He reserved His personal friendship for a family that received Him in truth and sincerity. That home became His resting place — a sanctuary for His humanity and a stage for His divinity.

William Branham beautifully described this closeness:

“Martha and Mary and Lazarus were bosom friends to Jesus. He came to live with them, to be with them. He ate at their table and slept in their house there in Bethany.”
— Then Jesus Came (57-0407E)

👉 Bethany represented more than a location; it symbolised the heart that receives and honours His presence. The Lord could have chosen any house in Jerusalem, but He preferred a humble home where faith was alive and love was sincere. It was there He was understood, not merely followed. There He could sit, speak, and be Himself without resistance.
That is the same reason why not everyone who walks with us should walk within us. True friends create an atmosphere where Christ in you can breathe freely.

William Branham expressed this balance clearly:

“Be nice and kind to everybody. But don’t be partakers of their sin. Stay away from it sir” — The Endtime Evangelism(62-0603)

That is why love must never be confused with fellowship.
The Lord Jesus Christ loved everyone, including Judas, but He found rest in Bethany.
He ministered in the temple, but He recharged among those who believed.
He walked among crowds, but He wept at Lazarus’ tomb — because love finds expression where there is mutual faith.

👉 In the same way, as believers, we are to open our hearts to love all — but reserve our close circle for those who feed the life of Christ within us. Friendship is not about how many gather around you, but who helps you remain faithful to your calling. The people who make room for Christ in your conversation, prayer, and purpose are the Bethanys of your journey — protect them and cherish them.

This shows us that while love is for all, closeness is for those who align with the truth.
You can love everyone and still choose to open your heart’s door only to those who strengthen your walk with God.

📖 Supporting Scriptures

• Romans 12:10: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.”

• Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.”

• Psalm 1:1: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

• John 11:5: “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

• John 15:14–15: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

✝️ Takeaway

Love is commanded; friendship is chosen.
The Lord Jesus Christ loved all, but He drew near to those whose hearts welcomed His Word.
He found His rest not in the palace nor in the temple, but in a home that believed in Him.
Love everyone — but let the Holy Spirit guide who walks closely with you.
True friendship in Christ is not about how often you meet, but how much of Christ you share when you do.

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for placing me in the family of faith. Teach me to love all Your children with a pure heart, yet give me wisdom to walk closely with those who strengthen my walk with You.
May my friendships reflect the pattern of Christ — loving all, but dwelling among those who love Your Word.
Keep my love sincere, my discernment sharp, and my friendships pure before You.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

✨ Meditation Thought:
When the Lord came to Bethany, He found love and faith waiting for Him — and He stayed there.
If your heart becomes a Bethany, His presence will also rest in your home.