confront error

I just finished listening to Proverbs this week which is why so many posts from it. This one continues advice to my ex-friends. These friends are what I would classify as postmodern innovators. They took pride in their value of the conversation but demonstrated intolerance for differences and an unwillingness to work toward reconciliation. I pray for their repentance but I write here again mostly for myself. This is to continue to clarify the issue I was confronting - unwillingness to stand and instruct in righteousness and love.

Proverbs 2.1-5 tells us that if we want to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, we must treasure His commandments. For peace and life we must keep His commands (Proverbs 3.1-2). Growing in knowledge requires loving discipline which is not an oxymoron (Proverbs 3.11-12; 4.1-11). We are to correct and reprove ... but there are two conditions. First we must do it rightly in love and second, the one receiving it must himself be wise. If not, we only incur trouble for both (Proverbs 9.7-9).

There are many today rejoicing in the announcements by others that they have found peace in their sin. This acceptance is not the act of love, it is evil and perverse (Proverbs 2.12-14). These find it ok to not stand for obedience under the guise of love. They have failed to understand both and thereby reject the knowledge of God. They endanger themselves and those they claim to be helping. God is a shield to those who walk in integrity (Proverbs 2.7).

Those that are promoting their personal peace over obedience to the commands of God are committing spiritual adultery (Proverbs 5.1-6). They find those who would tell them their sin is ok, that it is good and right to challenge God's Word, and that their false all-inclusive love is higher than the true love which seeks to instruct and spur towards righteousness. They and their teachers will end in ruin (Proverbs 5.11-14).

God's way is that honor will come to those that rebuke the wicked (Proverbs 2.23-26). An open rebuke is actually better than hidden love (Proverbs 27.5; 28.23).