Offenses, motivations, and sincerity

February 24, 2022 (Thursday)

 

Jesus had a lot to say about sin. Some of His teachings are more like threats. Take, Luke 17:1, “Jesus said to his followers, “Things that cause people to sin will happen, but how terrible for the person who causes them to happen!” [NCV] Let’s break it down.

 

The idea of something that causes people to sin it that of a “stumbling block.” You know, it’s that uneven pavement you have to be careful not to trip on. Or the tree root sticking out of the ground. Maybe it’s a rock the frost has brought to the surface. Whatever it is, it seems subtle, but it’s there. The language Jesus uses shows these things to be inevitable… as in they are going to happen.

 

The threat here is in the form of a warning, or “woe.” The person that causes it to happen will have sorrow. This severe distress is also inevitable to the guilty party. The question I have is about intent. Can one be guilty with intent to cause another harm? Go back and read “the Law.” There are no sacrifices (or repentance options) for intentional sin. Or has Hebrews 10:26 states, “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.” [NLT] Which is why we need mercy and grace.

 

Yes, we do have a responsibility to each other, “So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.” [Luke 17:3 NLT] There are two lines of translations here, one is “rebuke” and the other is “warn.” Rebuke is the sharp/stern expression of disapproval. Warn is a softer response indicating impending danger and urging caution. So, which is it? I suspect it depends on the situation and how far down the road the person has traveled. It also depends on the relationship. If you have no standing with the individual, warning is as far as you can go. Either way, it means to speak plainly.

 

The thing is, we tend to become judgmental. This can lead us to becoming hard hearted. Jesus warns those of us tempted toward the sin of being judgmental, “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” [Luke 17:4 NLT] Notice something very important. It’s not the number of times a person repents, asks forgiveness, or says they are sorry. Jesus never intended for us to become bean counters.

 

Notice, we are required to forgive if someone ASKS. It is not our responsibility to judge the sincerity of repentance. Only God can judge an offense, a motivation, or one’s sincerity. Thinking you can do any of that, as the right of the offended person, means you are taking the seat of God. Last I checked, God has not abdicated His throne. This means if we attempt to judge an offense, a motivation, or one’s sincerity we claim authority that only God owns.

 

Let me remind you, the father of lies seduces us with the desire, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.” [Genesis 3:5 ESV] I don’t know about you but that puts judging offense, motivation, or sincerity in a different point of view. It should scare the spit out of you that we are even tempted because it means the devil is pulling you down a dark and dangerous road.

 

“For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” – Jesus [Matthew 7:2 NLT]