Devotionals by Raul Ries
WEDNESDAY September 30, 2026
Love the Brethren
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.
1 John 3:14
In 1 John 3:14, we are told that the clear evidence of a true Christian born-again experience is manifested in our love for one another. Love is the fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and it should be manifested in our daily lives. Sadly, when we are void of love, it is a big red flag of the possible condition of an unregenerate heart––a person without Jesus Christ as their Savior. You have to question yourself if you are lacking God’s love in your heart for others. Again, 1 John 3:14 is very clear: He who does not love his brother abides in death.
What I find very disheartening is that there are so many family members, even in the church, who harbor hatred for each other. That should never happen. I have learned to go to them and say, “If I have done anything to offend or hurt you, then I am sorry.” This way I have opened the door for forgiveness, just as the Bible teaches: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
Unforgiveness in the family is a bitter sin. How can our close friends love us, but a brother, sister, cousin or nephew not love us when they are blood relations? Think about that. Look what else the Bible teaches in 1 John 4:20: If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Pretty plain and simple, don’t you think?
If someone says they love God, but they hate their brother, the Bible tells us they are a liar! If they do not love a brother who is right in front of their face, how can they say they love God who they have never seen? If a brother is right in front of you, but you do not love him, then where is the love of God in your life? How can you say you are a Christian when your heart and your attitude are not right before the Lord? The Lord commands that you love, care for people and help them. Are you doing just that?
The beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer~
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About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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