Edward’s QT

Summary: Moses said he was making the covenant with those present and those in the future. He reminds them of their time in Egypt and the idols they saw. He said to make sure that no one worships the gods of the nations they are replacing because those backsliders will bring disaster on everyone. God will not be willing to forgive those who turn away from him.

Questions: Do I take seriously the responsibility for encouraging my fellow members in their faith?

Sharing: Verses 18 and 20 sound just like what Muslims say about members of Islam who turn away from their faith, but instead of God punishing them, they ostracize or kill their own people. These are brutal verses that cannot be ignored or swept away.

 Moses says there is a group responsibility for members worshiping idols instead of God and that their idol worship affects everyone. It’s akin to the old saying that one rotten apple spoils the barrel.

 We are not Muslims, so what do we do when we see one of our fellows clearly putting an idol of self, money, status, children, spouse or success before his worship of God and trust in the Lord?

I have been a mokja and member of Wooridle for twenty years. I have offended fellow believers with my blunt statements about them. I have had to apologize for my words many times and rightfully so. But today’s verse implies I was right to confront them.

 The message of Jesus, however, is to see the log in my own eye before taking the sawdust out of someone else’s eye. On the other hand we see Apostle Paul repeatedly criticizing and challenging his church members, especially the circumcision group. Where is our responsibility for our fellow members regarding their obvious sins and how do we administer it?

Because I am a sinner and my fellow members are sinners saved by the mercy and grace of Christ, we need to watch over each other with the same love as Jesus. Yes, turning away from God is the most dangerous action in anyone’s life because their destruction is at issue. So we must do our best to lovingly but firmly warn, admonish and encourage. If we don’t and continue to accept their rationalizations without challenge, how does that affect our faith?

Application: Respond in love to each mogwon’s weekly sharing.

Prayer: Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Let me not be lost in harshness towards others but live through repentance.