I recently saw a footage of an African-American mom beating her teenage son who was skipping school, at a convenient store, with what looked like a whip! The boy fell on the floor once she started swinging and he ran away from her, grabbing onto his low-rising pants! And the question was asked, “Is this love or abuse?”
While most people would say “abuse,” I’d say, “love.” She was showing tough love. The boy was bigger than her by at least a foot. If he wanted, he could easily overpower her. But he didn’t. She publicly embarrassed him and chased after him because she cared. If she didn’t, she would just stay home and mind her own business.
Tolerance is the enemy of love. When we tolerate looting and violence, we are not loving, but hating. When we see a brother or sister straying from God but we will not warn him/her, we are hating him/her. And why don’t we do so? Because we are worried more about our reputation than the well-being of that person.
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8This is in the context of providing for the elderly parents. If a “Christian” does not provide for his elderly parents, but relies on the church to do so, then he’s worthless.
How many Americans rely on the government to provide for their parents? Even Christians, how many of us have abdicated our responsibility and have not looked after our aging parents?
Paul says such a person is no Christian. He is damned.
Do you have friends who are not working (even though able), but mooching off the good-will of others? Don’t just tolerate them. Warn them strongly. Let them earn their own wages. You might just save them from hell.
PH
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