THE LATE REVEREND EVERSON T. SIEUNARINEWhen a judge ormagistrate passesjudgement ona person foundguilty, a comment that is oftenmade is “I hope this will teachyou a lesson”. We all hope so,for punishment should lead tocontrition and improvement ofcharacter. Unfortunately, the lessonis not always learnt, and we seemany repeat offenders and thosewho have found new ways tocommit crimes.We must not presume that becausegood advice is offered, religiousrites are practices or seriouswarnings are delivered, humannature will be changed for thebetter. In this letter, the apostleJames tells the congregation not tofool themselves; they must not onlylisten to God’s Word but must obeyit, or it will be “like glancing at yourface in a mirror. You see yourself,walk away, and forget what youlook like.” (James 1:22-24) It is fareasier to look at other people andpoint out their spots and blemishes.How many of us know religiousleaders who boldly and regularlyremind their people of the virtuesof self-denial and sincerity indaily living, while accumulatingfor themselves wealth and publicpraise with little thought of charityand sacrificial service! How many ofus know national leaders who arealways summoning their people tofairness, justice and accountabilitywhile disregarding these essentialqualities in their personal career!We are not to presume that it isalways easy to practice what wepreach and advocate as the rightand good thing to do.of the heart even when the handsare stretched out in charity oruplifted in prayer. He knew Peterwould fail when the real testcame. So, when Jesus was beingquestioned by the High Priest,some persons recognized Peter inthe courtyard as a companion ofJesus. But Peter strongly deniedthe accusation. “I swear that I amtelling you the truth. May Godpunish me if I am not. I do not knowthat man.” (Matthew 26:74)Simon Peter, the “rock” amongJesus’ disciples, was confidenthe would never forsake JesusDo not presume we will standup for the truth when the day ofreckoning comes, or we will tellthe truth when it is not financiallyadvantageous or not very safe. Weeven if all the others did. WhenJesus spoke about the impendingcrucifixion, Peter rebuked him “Godforbid it, Lord. That must neverhappen to you.” (Matthew 16:22)But Jesus rebuked him in turn “Getaway from me Satan. Your thoughtsdo not come from God but fromhuman nature.must recognise we are all prone toevil and slothful in good. An honestlook in the mirror will send us todo more confessing and repentingthan judging and boasting. Asthe Reformer Martin Luther said,“A Christian is never in a stateof completion but always in theprocess of becoming.”(Matthew 16:23) Jesus knew humannature. He knew the real charactersunder the masks of piety andsanctity. He knew the motivations(reprinted with permission)THE TRINIDAD PRESBYTERIAN | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.pctt.org.tt15
It seems that your browser's pop-up blocker has prevented us from opening a new window/tab. Please click the button below to open the link manually.
