We are in an all-out spiritual war, a war where there can be no fence-sitters.
For Jesus the Christ abhors fence-sitters — those whom He calls the “lukewarm.”
Revelation 3:15-16
“I know about your activities: how you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
This Sunday’s readings are a reminder that we are called to be His warriors.
Not only must we choose and not be lukewarm fence-sitters, in the face of evil we are to speak out and admonish the wicked.
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Thus says the LORD:
You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;
when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.
If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die, ”
and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,
the wicked shall die for his guilt,
but I will hold you responsible for his death.
But if you warn the wicked,
trying to turn him from his way,
and he refuses to turn from his way,
he shall die for his guilt,
but you shall save yourself.
Matthew 18:15-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that ‘every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If he refuses to listen even to the church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.”
In this all-out spiritual war, be strong!
Do not be afraid!
For our Lord has promised us:
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.”
In His peace and love,
~Eowyn