As many as I love I reprove and discipline;be earnest, therefore, and repent. Rev. 3:19.
We live in a world in which counseling and psychology have taught us all to be gentle with other people in recognition of our common suffering. As a result we see people's misbehavior more as sickness than as sin. And it is certainly true that all of us have been victimized to some degree. But the spiritual outcome of this approach can be an unwillingness to hear rebuke, even when it comes from the mouth of Jesus Himself. Few want to hear from a God who will speak harshly to us. But the fact is that Jesus confronts those He loves, and He often does so forcefully. Genuine confrontation can save a lot of heartache. Let me illustrate.
The lead elements of the German Army crest the hill. Below them lies the Rhine River, deep with runoff from melting snow. Even at this distance, the German presence violates the Versailles Treaty of 1918. Riding in the turret of the lead tank, the commander halts the column and scans into the distance. The French gun emplacements on the opposing shore remain silent.
The column moves forward slowly, listening for the first sounds of incoming artillery. The tanks make their way down to the waterfront and deploy without incident. Unwilling to start a war, the French do nothing. Only years later, after the end of the war, will the Allies discover Hitler's secret orders for the troops occupying the Rhine Valley on that March morning in 1936. He told them that at the first sign of French resistance they should beat a hasty retreat.
We'll never know for sure, but perhaps humanity could have averted World War II if the French had resisted that day. Had Hitler's reputation been damaged, the generals might not have been so cooperative with him. Millions of lives might have been saved had Hitler discovered in 1936 that other nations would hold him accountable for violating the peace.
Allied leaders feared armed conflict, but they failed to avoid it. And their inaction likely made if much worse. Neither the German people nor the leaders of their armed forces were prepared for war at the time. Resistance would have forced Hitler to back down. His army at that time was no match for the French alone, much less the combined weight of the Allies. The prestige he gained--the influence with both the German people and the general military staff--and the knowledge that the Allies were too fearful to confront him gave Hitler the opportunity to increase his armed forces and make several conquests through sheer intimidation. By the time war did come, Hitler's forces were much stronger, and he was able to initiate hostilities at the time of his choosing. Postponing confrontation only made the conflict more severe.
Lord, thank You for the many times You have confronted me through Your Word and through other people. I choose to be more receptive in the future.
We live in a world in which counseling and psychology have taught us all to be gentle with other people in recognition of our common suffering. As a result we see people's misbehavior more as sickness than as sin. And it is certainly true that all of us have been victimized to some degree. But the spiritual outcome of this approach can be an unwillingness to hear rebuke, even when it comes from the mouth of Jesus Himself. Few want to hear from a God who will speak harshly to us. But the fact is that Jesus confronts those He loves, and He often does so forcefully. Genuine confrontation can save a lot of heartache. Let me illustrate.
The lead elements of the German Army crest the hill. Below them lies the Rhine River, deep with runoff from melting snow. Even at this distance, the German presence violates the Versailles Treaty of 1918. Riding in the turret of the lead tank, the commander halts the column and scans into the distance. The French gun emplacements on the opposing shore remain silent.
The column moves forward slowly, listening for the first sounds of incoming artillery. The tanks make their way down to the waterfront and deploy without incident. Unwilling to start a war, the French do nothing. Only years later, after the end of the war, will the Allies discover Hitler's secret orders for the troops occupying the Rhine Valley on that March morning in 1936. He told them that at the first sign of French resistance they should beat a hasty retreat.
We'll never know for sure, but perhaps humanity could have averted World War II if the French had resisted that day. Had Hitler's reputation been damaged, the generals might not have been so cooperative with him. Millions of lives might have been saved had Hitler discovered in 1936 that other nations would hold him accountable for violating the peace.
Allied leaders feared armed conflict, but they failed to avoid it. And their inaction likely made if much worse. Neither the German people nor the leaders of their armed forces were prepared for war at the time. Resistance would have forced Hitler to back down. His army at that time was no match for the French alone, much less the combined weight of the Allies. The prestige he gained--the influence with both the German people and the general military staff--and the knowledge that the Allies were too fearful to confront him gave Hitler the opportunity to increase his armed forces and make several conquests through sheer intimidation. By the time war did come, Hitler's forces were much stronger, and he was able to initiate hostilities at the time of his choosing. Postponing confrontation only made the conflict more severe.
Lord, thank You for the many times You have confronted me through Your Word and through other people. I choose to be more receptive in the future.
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