To hate the person who is sinning is easy and natural, because we don’t like how their sin effects us or others we car about. To hate sin and do whatever we can to expose and eliminate it, because of what it is doing to the sinner and others is love!
Good food for thought, brother. Admonishment is very hard in our "who are you to judge me?" society these days. Often, even if someone is tangled in obvious sin and it is brought before them, the response is often something like "yeah, well God knows my heart!" Yes He does. He says it is wicked and decietful above all things (Jer. 17:9).
ReplyDeleteBut don't we all do such a good job hiding our sin from each other? I will go to such Machavellian lengths to keep you from seeing me pick my nose. One problem that keeps me from confessing my sins one to another(James 5:16- A command)is that we need to realize that our value does not come from our sucesses or lack of, but in the fact that we have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, in spite of our shortcomings. Our value is in the fact that our Sovereign Lord has GIVEN us value, for reasons unfathomable.
Do we think we are the only ones that are blowing it? Read His Word and be encouraged!! I used to think that the experience Paul spoke of in Romans 7:14-24 was that of an unsaved man. I know longer believe so, though I could be in error. But in v. 18 the will to do good is present, and in v. 22 there is delight in the law of God. Praise God for verse 25!!! But we need to realize that it is HIM Who enables us to stand (Jude 24; Ezekial 37:14). When we see that, it enables us to know that unless God has somehow totally perfected Pastor Keith and enables him to 24/7 perfectly keep His law,I can go to that brother with my struggle and know he'll understand- all too well, I'd bet. I believe one of the reasons God commands us to confess our faults to other BELIEVERS (be wise in this- maybe not bellow it out in the middle of service) is that at least ONE of them will be used of God to give good, Biblical counsel. By the way Pastor, glory to God for the xcellant sermon on what body life really is. This is one thing God has called us out for. If I gash my left hand, my right will do everything it can to attempt to mend it so my body can be whole again. So let me take my thoghts of lust to a brother before it turns into adultery, my anger before it morphs into fisticuffs or even harsh words, or doubts before they become apostasy. God will not allow me to be effective among the body if I'm cussing my child the rest of the time. So lets stop being so haughty and confess, with God's help diagnose, repent, and FOLLOW Jesus. All the while giving God all glory for even allowing us to care at all! tj