April 24, 2020
“Publicly rebuke those who sin,
so that the rest will also be afraid.” I Timothy 5:20
As the Church, we have a responsibility to each other to keep us from sin. It’s called accountability. This is one of the touchy areas of our Christian walk. We don’t want to call anyone out in public because they may look at my life and call me out. It’s that the point Paul is trying to make here? Aren’t we accountable for our actions? We’re not just to point out all the good things we do, but we’re also supposed to make the necessary corrections in our lives so that we are a living example of Christ Jesus. That is a high calling!
If a Christian willfully sins publicly and the world can see it in plain view, then we should call them out on it. Ask them to publicly repent and ask for forgiveness. Repent here means to make a change, 180 degree change. By rebuking a sinner, the world can witness that because of Jesus Christ being that person’s Savior and Lord, God can be seen as a life changer! God can make a difference in a person’s life and behavior. What better way to witness to the World? Publicly calling someone out is not for the purpose of publicly humiliating them but to cause a change in their behavior and allow the testimony to be seen by everyone. It serves as a warning to others that their life is on display for others to see and if we identify with Jesus Christ, then we must walk and act like Jesus! That would be enough to make anyone think twice about choosing to follow sin and give into the temptation.
We are to go to one another and pray for one another because resisting sin is difficult at best. We don’t have the strength on our own, that’s why it says “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
I thank God that He provides for our every need, even the need to resist temptation and sin and lean on Him to provide a way to get away from sin. “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:13-15
Guard your hearts and minds today and watch your step!
Let’s strive to live like Jesus today!
Pray for God to have control of our desires
Pray for The Ministries of Leawood Baptist Church
Pray for our YOUTH