Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014
Deacon Robert Banet
My cousin Charlie’s wife is a a oner.
What do yo mean?
You know, a oner, a one of a kind. She has some stange ideas.
Such as?
She tolerates everything — there is nothing she doesn’t approve of.
Go on.
Well, there’s some neighhbors of theirs that are not married but they are living together.
What we used to call living in sin?
Yeah. And then her own brother is homosexual and is in that kind of relationship.
What does she say about that?
She has them all over for supper and she calls it supporting them.
Ah. I don’t know what to say.
She says you have to tolerate that. Otherewise you might turn them off.
I don’t think toleration is a virtue.
She says Jesus associated with sinners.
Yes. I remember the woman caught in adultery. But you know what?
What?
Jesus said go and sin no more. He did not tolerate sin. He preached against it.
I guess you’re right. You really can’t say you love someone if you act like their sinful ways are acceptable.
I believe you’re right. You have to let them know you love them but you also have to warn them that you do not approve of their ways. And it’s not only your approval but God’s.
It’s to their eternal advantage if you do so. You are actually doing them a heavenly favor. I’ll have to tell Charlie’s wife the next time I see her.