Reflections

“He who made the outside, also made the inside.”Especially during my high school years, I used to scold my younger siblings. And I must ad- mit that there were times that I hit them too. I was the eldest and thought it was my respon- sibility to discipline them. I was not brutal though and I am sure my disciplinary measures were not excessive. But I cannot for- get one occasion when after scolding one of my sisters she said, “You don’t love me.”Love is a heavy word. Many people would imagine that what constitutes it are all positive attributes and good vibes; any- thing negative or adverse can- not be love. Well, this is not love. While love appreciates, it does not tolerate. Love desires the best and will therefore correct and admonish when needed. Reprimands and punishments can also be expressions of love. Every act aimed at making people realize the bad and the wrong are expressions of love. So, did I not love my  sister?  I did, and I still do. But my love for her cannot allow that she grows without discipline.The love of God for us is pretty much the same. It de- mands perfection (cf. Mt. 5:48) so that when we wander from time to time, we need scolding and discipline. © Copyright Bible Diary 2019