HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
God cares deeply for His children. Like an earthly father with his children, God is very protective of and caring toward those who are His. In this world of temptation and sin, God understands it is inevitable that his children will face offense and wrongdoing, but He does not look favorably upon those who are the source of that offense. There are two principles related to this characteristic of God that we need to understand. First, we must be very careful to avoid causing offense to those who are children of God. Through our words or example, we must strive to bring others closer to God, not lead them away. Second, when one causes offense to us, we must be ready and willing to love that person and treat them in such a way that they might recognize their wrong and repent. Then we must be willing to forgive them. It should be our earnest desire that no person face the wrath of God, but that all become His faithful children.
What are some ways that we might work to bring others closer to God?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!