DECEMBER 2021
FRIDAY DAY 24
BEWARE OF SIN (3)
Scripture Reading: Romans 6:23
Let us continue from yesterday’s reflection. Disciplinary consequences. Some consequences of sin are as a result of God’s fatherly treating to His Children. There’s a difference between a penalty for sin and discipline for sin. As God’s children, we experience discipline designed to guide us back to the right path. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone he accepts as His son” (Hebrews 12:5–6; cf. Proverbs 3:11–12). Note how many of God’s children undergo discipline: “everyone” (Hebrews 12:8). We are all wayward at times. God’s purpose in allowing us to experience disciplinary consequences of sin, true to His nature, is perfect: “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).
The church in Corinth provides an example of Christians who face the disciplinary consequences of their sin: in partaking of the Lord’s Table in an unworthy manner, they brought God’s displeasure. St. Paul told them, “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 11:30). We see similar disciplinary action taken in 2 Samuel 12. Even after David confessed his sin and was forgiven, God allowed certain consequences to befall David and his household (verses 11–14).
God allows us to experience some of the temporal consequences of sin to show His love for us. If God never disciplined His straying children, He would not be a good Father. If we were never disciplined or never suffered the consequences for our wrong actions, we will never learn right from wrong. We tend to learn from our mistakes more readily than we learn from our successes.
Praise the Lord for His goodness. He allows us to experience the temporal consequences of sin (for our own good). But He has saved us from the eternal consequences of sin. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we will never experience the second death, which is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). Believers in Christ are promised that the curse and consequences of sin will be completely removed one day, and “nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9, NLT).
MASS: VIOLET: 2 Sam. 7: 1-5. 8b-12. 14a. 16; Ps 89: 2-3. 4-5. 27 and 29(R. 2a); Accl. O Daystar, splendor of the eternal light and son of justice! Come enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; Gospel Lk 1: 67-79 ST. ADELA & IRMINA 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT
Prayer point:
1. Pray with Thomas A Kempis,” O Lord grant me the grace to imitate and practice Your teachings and examples. May I be able to repeat like St. Paul the apostle: Christ is my life; to die is of great advantage to me, so that I may live only in Him, and for Him. Amen”.
Exercise: Whoever is in a state of grace is a friend of God. Such a person is also a child of God. Seek and pray at all times to be in the state of grace.
Meditation: 2 Peter 1:4