Saturday after the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, 8/19/00Ezekiel 3: 17-18 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, `You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
In the name of the One Who places watchmen over His people, amen.
It is so easy to tell people what they want to hear, but it is a friend who will tell a person the truth. Telling someone the hard truth is very difficult, especially if that hard truth has to do with a person's sinful life. We see parents who are afraid to tell their children that their life style is evil, because they are afraid that they won't have their son or daughter around anymore. Foolish approach! If you ignore it, you might have them around now, but may lose them for eternity. The same goes for our friends.
Speaking the true doctrine is not easy. It is not popular, but it is what shows real love. God doesn't tell us not to do things that are evil because He hates us; He tells us because He loves us, and wants us to have eternal life. Amen.
Prayer Dear heavenly Father, help us to speak the truth in love so that the people we care about, yes, all people, may have the chance to repent and be saved. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
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