How many of us just listen to others speak nonsense regarding the truths of life?How many times have you heard a person rationalizing behaviors and attempting to steer others into believing in their rhetoric, especially rhetoric that is actually counter-Christian?
Are we afraid to stand up for our beliefs?
Are we afraid to tell people that they are full of it?
Are we afraid to tell others that they are so far off base that they are harming others with their beliefs and actions?
In the gospel today, Jesus gave us a personal example that in some situations action is needed.
John 2:13-25
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. "The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.
Are you truly a friend if you sit back and allow your friends to stray and lead others to stray away from a life lived in the truth.
Be a true friend, speak the truth when the truth is needed. Always rooting in kindness and love, but at times courage is needed to right a wrong. If you never tell the friend that they are actually tearing down the body of Christ through their actions, might they never realize their own fault.
Yes there is a risk of becoming too judgemental, but as long as we accept our own faults, continue to work on our faults, be open to feedback from friends and sincerely evaluate our own behaviors, then Christian correction of errant ways should not be a problem.
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