In Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry is selected to participate in a
dangerous tournament. However, he did
not volunteer for this contest. His name
was slipped in by one of his enemies in order to have the opportunity to harm
him or kill him. He did not submit his
name, but even his best friend, Ron, thinks that he did. At a loss, Harry refuses to go to Ron to talk
the issue out. Instead, he lets the
immature anger he and Ron are feeling fester, threatening their
friendship.
Proverbs 27:5 says, “Better is an open
rebuke than hidden love.” It is better
to go to someone who is in the wrong and confront them rather than to let them
be harmed (or let them harm you) by their actions. It is not love to indulge someone’s sinful
behavior any more than shunning them.
Love speaks the truth, and desires the best for others; and walking in
sin is never best.
The author of Hebrews (we don’t know who
wrote this book) lovingly confronts the readers, including us, in v. 11: About
this (Jesus being our high priest) we
have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of
hearing. For though by this time you
ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles
of the oracles of God.
Ouch! That is a confrontation!
Born again in baptism, we have full
forgiveness for our sins. This, however,
does not mean that we are to wallow in them and pretend that the things we do have
no relevance. Jesus’ call to those who
believe in him is to repent – that is to turn away from sin, confessing them
and receiving God’s absolution.
When we indulge our sin, compromise God’s
Word, refuse to obey God’s Will, and live more and more by our own wisdom
rather than by God’s grace and good will for us, we lose maturity in the faith
and we lose the clear sense to distinguish good from evil.
Thanks be to God that we are forgiven
sinner, though! God will not abandon us
in immaturity, but keeps feeding and growing us in Christ.
Thank you, Lord, for Your patience. Help me believe and follow Your will as You
speak to me in Your Word. Let me show others Your love. Amen.
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