“Blow Hot, Blow Cold”

Luke 17: 2-3: “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than he should he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on Your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” Wow, talk about a quick turnaround! In one breath Jesus threatens sinners with unavoidable judgment, then in the next breath He makes heavy demands from His disciples concerning their duty to forgive. What’s with that? In short, to cause a little one to stumble is to sin against God, and that’s His business. But when a brother sins against us (v.4), we should be able to handle it. In fact, He warns us (Be on your guard!) against any predilection not to forgive.