Parenting by the Book
STUDY 175
Text: Proverbs 17
31 October 2004
Dear Parents,
ONLY ONE PERFECT PERSON
There is only ONE perfect person who has not sinned! That Person is none other than our precious Lord Jesus Christ!
THE PROBLEM OF TRANSGRESSION
Every other person would have to deal with the problem of transgression. The Scriptures tell us clearly that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
HOW SHOULD THE PROBLEM OF TRANSGRESSIONS BE HANDLED?
All transgressions must be confessed to the Lord. Forgiveness must be sought. And the Lord would indeed forgive.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9
HOW TRANSGRESSIONS MUST NOT BE HANDLED
He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.Proverbs 17:9
1. Transgressions of people must not be broadcast
Let us ponder a beautiful text that tells us clearly what God does with our sins.
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins…Isaiah 44:22
God blots out our sins and our transgressions! Imagine the grace He bestows on us! If we follow God’s example, then we too must seek to “cover transgressions.” But if we do not choose to cover transgressions, and we broadcast people’s sins and transgressions, we would create havoc!
2. Broadcasting sins will destroy relationships
Friendships take a long time to cultivate. However, the careless or the wicked can destroy friendships through gossip.
PRACTISING THE LOVE OF GOD
Why should we need to feel that we must tell people about the sins of others? We have a better alternative. If we have the deep love of God embedded in our hearts, we can cover any number of transgressions! Let us teach our children the way of love. Let us teach them how to forgive and forget.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie