I am drawn to Titus at the end of chapter 2 when Paul talks about using the tools he has described to not only teach but also to rebuke. We have an obligation as followers of Christ to make sure other followers are not damaging the faith, essentially we are called to be intolerant of the sin in others lives.
Granted, the way in which we do this is of utmost importance. If we are merely calling people out due to our disdain for their actions and the way they live their life then that is not biblical at all. But if we rebuke out of love, showing them that the Lord is gracious and compassionate, then ultimately we are doing them a favor.
I had breakfast with a friend of mine this morning who told me not rebuking someone is like not telling someone when they have a disease. If someone is sick, you don't shrug your shoulders and pretend like everything is okay, you do the hard thing and tell them what is wrong, and then walk through the appropriate course of action with them.
I have been rebuked on numerous occasions, sometimes by those close to me, other times by people who I barely have a relationship with, and it never gets easier to handle, but I am thankful for those conversations because I am a better person for it now.
A favorite quote of mine, and speaking from a believers perspective, is this, "Tolerance is the weakest of virtues."
2 comments:
Ouch... rebuke was the last thing on my mind but rather a suggestion we pray for those who nit pik and actually complain often about others and not seeing ones own sins. For the very reason that it makes us poor examples of who Christians are.
I too am a believer and that is why I constantly strive to set a good example but I am far from perfect!! As Christians we are also to show love for one another not pick at the faults of others and not see our own.
I'm sorry if my wording offended you in anyway. I greatly appreciate you and what you do for the youth of the Church. You also do quite well in speaking to the general audience! You were giving the message the first Sunday I attended Selma First Baptist Church.
I was not offended, I appreciate your comments, especially since you are the only one who leaves them:). This was more of a response to a conversation I had earlier that day with my bible study. I wasn't meaning to offend at all either.
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