This fall I did a deep-dive into the book of Leviticus, and throughout the study I was amazed at how often I found applicable, universal truths woven throughout those otherwise “Israelite” commands. I credit the Holy Spirit for inspiring it as He did, and for the power of God’s inspired Word to pierce a willing heart: Truth be told, I need to remember the words written here. Maybe you do too…

 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 

(Leviticus 19:17)

Under the Law of Moses, hatred that was harbored secretly in a person’s heart was just as sinful as outward expressions of disdain. Instead of nursing grudges and stewing in bitterness, God told His people to confront sin directly: Rebuke your neighbor when you have to. If it’s not worth confronting him over, it’s not worth stewing over, either.

God goes on to say not to “suffer sin upon him.” Other translations say “share in their guilt.” What does that mean?

Imagine if your neighbor wrongs you. Immediately, one of three scenarios are going to play out, and you get to choose which one: First, you can choose not to confront the one who wronged you but instead sit and stew in bitterness over it. If you choose that path, as so many do (I’m guilty of this, myself), then God now has two sinners to deal with: The sinner who wronged you, and you for sinning with bitterness. In the second scenario, you confront the man who wronged you. When you do, he may reject your appeals, and if he does, then God will deal with it, but in that case, He only has one sinner to deal with (and it ain’t you). The third scenario also involves you confronting the one who wronged you. If you do and if he repents, that’s wonderful! God now has NO sinners to deal with. Everybody wins.

There are three scenarios, and in two of them, you come out okay. Both scenarios involve you letting go of your grudge and confronting the one who wronged you. This, by the way, is not just the law of Leviticus. It remains the law of God for us today…

 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 

(Luke 17:3) 

What a blessing to serve a God who understands the timeless struggle of relationships, confrontation, and conflict-resolution, and who provides for us a way out of every difficult situation.

~Matthew