be better for that person, than to cause one of these little ones to fall.
Listen carefully: if your brother offends you, tell him, and if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he
offends you seven times in one day, but seven times he says to you, ‘I’m sorry,’ forgive him.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” And the Lord said, “If you have faith, even
the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree, ‘Be uprooted, and plant yourself in the
sea!’ and it will obey you.
Reflect:
“To name and shame” is one of the preferred methods in currency. We love to publicly announce
the mistakes of others for the purpose of bringing them to shame. However, is this a redemptive
act? Or is it one meant to make us feel good and satisfy our bloodlust? Jesus wouldn’t approve.
For, he is pretty direct and clear in his statement as to how to deal with an erring brother or sister:
If they offend you, tell them directly and privately about it – which means, do not indulge
in public shaming. When they repent, forgive them, even up to seven times a day! This does
not mean that we do not hold them accountable for the harm they have done or do not want
them to do reparations for the same. It only means that we do not deprive them of their right
to basic human dignity, but act with compassion, even as we hold them accountable.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022