SUNDAY November 4, 2018
Are You a Respecter of Persons?
When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, “What does the sound of this tumult mean?” And the man came quickly and told Eli. Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were so dim that he could not see.
1 Samuel 4:14-15
When the news of defeat came from the battlefront into the city, a great outcry was heard. Eli was old, his eyes were dim, and he could only see shadows. Even though he asked what the noise was about, in his own heart, he knew that the judgment of God had fallen––Israel had been defeated. The man from the battlefront confirmed Eli’s worst fears.
Eli, as a leader, was at fault because he never, ever took the time to discipline his children. His lack of discipline was the reason his sons turned out to be so very corrupt. They had infected the camp of God.
Eli should have corrected and chastised them. It could have been that, because they were his children, he showed partiality to them. Did his affection for them cause him to overlook their sinful behavior?
What was Eli’s mistake? The Lord had told Eli that he had honored his sons more than honoring Him (1 Samuel 2:29). Eli should not have been a respecter of persons. It is important that we do not become a respecter of persons towards anybody. Understand, it does not matter who it is in your family that is in sin––a nephew, a son or a daughter. If you love them, then take care of the problem; otherwise, they can be destroyed by their sin.
Many times we are not willing to correct and discipline someone who is in sin. We should never be afraid of man––the fear of man brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25). Understand, God is not a respecter of persons. He will correct those He loves.
The heavenly Father has no spoiled children. He loves them
too much to allow that.
~Fred Mitchell~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!