Called Out

It is one thing to point out someone's misdoings, and quite another to forgive.

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, "I repent", you must forgive.' - Luke 17:3-4

I have to admit that I would be uncomfortable calling someone out.

If someone does or says something to hurt me, I tend to avoid conflict and walk away, rather than confront them.  But maybe that is not the right approach to take.

Jesus seems to be demanding a great deal from his disciples, telling them to be so forgiving, but I think there is more to this.  Before someone can ask for forgiveness, they need to be made aware of their transgression.

That's the sticky part of this.  If I don't call you out, I deny you the chance to seek my forgiveness.  In a way, I am contributing to your sinfulness, by letting you be.

Now I am not saying I believe we share in the guilt of the sinner, but withholding our feelings may make it less obvious to him or her that what was said or done was offensive.

So, we call out.  Then what?

Each time we confront the one who hurts us, we give an opportunity for repentance and that means we need to be ready to forgive.

That could be the thing that holds us back, right?

We may be so hurt or feel so taken advantage of, that we don't want to forgive.

So why would Jesus tell us we should forgive seven times a day?

I don't believe he wants us to be repeatedly abused by someone who scams the system.  True repentance is required.

But it is not really about that, I think.  I believe we should be ready to forgive, yes, but equally ready to intercede and tell someone what we see is wrong with the relationship we have with them.

One drop of water on a rock does nothing.  It simply rolls off.  But many drops can bore a hole.

To wear away the rock of sin, we need to be willing to be many drops.

That is what I think Jesus is saying.  Don't give up.  The soul is worth saving.

More to come...