Christian Living

Rebuked By the World

by Travis Darnell
11/04/17
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            There is no worse feeling as a Christian than being rebuked or reprimanded by someone who is not a Christian for our poor behavior, sin or anything else for that matter. It’s the worst. We know as Christians’ that we are to be blameless before God and man. We are told that it’s cause to rejoice if we suffer for Christ’s sake, but shameful to suffer because of our own sins (See 1 Peter: 15-16). We are to be the purest, kindest and most loving people on the planet because of who our Father God is. Everything we do and touch, should speak volumes as to the goodness and splendor of God.

            But oh how we blow it and fall so short at times. And about the furthest we can ever fall is when the “world” rebukes us rightly and correctly, because of our sinful actions, words or behavior. It cuts us to the bone. Christians do get fired, get speeding tickets, get into fights, have domestic disturbances, fall into the temptations of drugs and alcohol, adultery, laziness, gossip, etc. Sometimes we are a downright mess.

            But take heart people, we are not the first to fall shamefully. Look and read Genesis 12:17-20. It was not Abraham’s finest hour. But God was still as faithful to Abraham as He always was. Same with Jacob, Sampson, David, Asa and you and me. This is certainly not anything that we are to be proud of, but it also does bring light to God’s unbelievable devotion and tenderness towards us. Even though we do blow it and cause God grief, God still remains our Father and as much as He is holy, perfect and just, He is also just as compassionate, merciful, forgiving, restoring and loving of us forevermore. To who? To you, me and all of our other brothers and sisters who are trying to live holy and just lives in the midst of this world. So the next time you get rebuked by the world, even though it is sometimes deeply shameful and definitely embarrassing, remember Abraham, the father of the faithful. Even though Abraham at times made some big-time blunders, God was never ashamed to be his Father, nor to call him a son and He feels the exact same about you. There is no shifting or changing in His infinite love for His kids, His love is perfect and is stuck on us. Remember this, because we will need to at times.