Billy Needs Jesus
We as believers must give clear guidance to those who violate God’s commandments. Not because we are hostile, and not because we want to stand over people in judgment, but because love tells the truth.
There is a difference between wanting a safer community and wanting reconciled souls. A safer community is good, but if that is all we are after, we may produce better behavior while leaving people blind to the One they have offended.
If little Johnny steals marbles from Billy, Johnny needs to know more than, “That was not nice.” He needs to know why it was wrong. He harmed Billy, yes. He disrupted trust, yes. But deeper than that, he violated what is right before God.
For a brother in Christ, correction must come with conviction. Sometimes rebuke must be firm. Sometimes, depending on the circumstance, it may even need to be severe. But the aim should be restoration, not personal triumph.
For the unbeliever, the incentive may be different, but the truth is not. We warn them because we love them. We warn them because sin has consequences. We warn them because good deeds cannot purchase favor with God.
If we fail to make that clear, we may build a better community and still leave people marching toward hell, thinking manners, charity, and decency are enough.
They are not.
Christ did not come merely to make men behave better.
He came to reconcile sinners to God.
And the truth is, little Johnny is not the only one who needs saving.
Billy needs Jesus too.