Love Warns

“Live and let live” is the philosophy much of the world lives by.  I’ll do what’s right for me, and you do what’s right for you.  The world sees autonomy as the greatest good.  A world where we can all do exactly as we please, as long as we don’t hurt anyone.

What the world fails to see is how much we hurt ourselves when we live that way.

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 14:12

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.  Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.Galatians 6:7-8

So what do we do when we see a friend making sinful choices?  The world says if we love them we will let them do what they want.  But is that loving?

If your friend is driving on a road toward a bridge that’s washed out, and you know that bridge is washed out, but they don’t, should you tell them to alter their route?  What if they say they like this road better?  What if they say you’re being judgemental and should let them do what they want?  What would the most loving response be?

Of course it is more loving to warn them of the danger, to urge them to change their route so they don’t plummet to their death.

Whether or not they listen to you, the only loving response, in genuine concern for your friend, is to warn them.Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.  Be strong.  And do everything with love.  1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Keep Seeking the Kingdom!

   Heather Penner
   Youth Ministries Director