Your prophets have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They did not save you from exile by pointing out your sins. Instead, they painted false pictures, filling you with false hope. [Lamentations 2.14]
It is not popular to point out sin.
Jesus taught us not to judge others. Is that the same as pointing out sin? I don't think so.
There remains a burden upon true Christ-followers to hate sin but love sinners. That is what our Lord Jesus did and it is no less our duty following His example.
Within Christianity today, it seems we have swung too far over to the "hope" (grace) part of our relationship with God and almost completely ignored the "justice" of God as if sin no longer holds its willing participants in curses (and not blessings). Yet, all around us, evidences of the curses for disobedience abound - maybe now more than ever.
Who among us has not experienced the loss brought about by cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or the likes? Are we so proud that we simply refuse to even explore the potential that repentance might be in order? Are we painting false pictures of hope when destruction seems to be gaining on us?
Does the news of the United States' turmoil not cause some consideration of what might be wrong?
How bad does it have to get before we finally repent?
Yes, the grace of God is amazing and comforting. But God never intended for grace to whitewash sinful unrepentant hearts.
Oh, to be sure, it feels good to make others feel good that grace has covered all their sins... But that is false hope if repentance has not first turned our hearts away from that sin and to God.
It is foolishness to promote grace without first "pointing out sin" requiring repentance.
Father, help us to see our need for repentance - as individuals and as a nation.
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