Published 11/8/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
It’s Friday night and your favorite TV shows are on. You’ve been waiting all week to see them. When your brother comes in, though, it’s a different story.
“We’re not going to watch those shows again this week,” he says. “I’m sick of them and it’s my week to watch what I want.”
“No way, we always watch these shows on Friday nights.”
“Forget it. I asked Mom and Dad and they said I could watch what I wanted tonight.”
“No, they didn’t, you’re lying. Where are they?”
“They went for a walk and won’t be back for probably a half hour.”
“Well, you can’t change the channel until they’re back.”
“Oh yeah, watch me,” he says as he gets up and changes the channel.
“Cut it out!” you yell as you jump up to change it back.
“Make me,” he says.
And with that statement, you rear back and give him a hard push. He falls backwards and hits his head on the coffee table.
“There, are you satisfied?” you say while changing the station.
He takes his hand off of his aching head and looks at it. You can see blood on it. He’s cut his head. Now you’re in for it. There’s evidence of a fight.
When we get back from our walk, he tells us the whole story.
Questions to Think On
• What would you try to say to defend yourself?
• Should you be punished for what you did? How much?
• Would you feel like apologizing? How good are you at saying you’re sorry when you’ve done something wrong?
• Mom and Dad: What would the consequences be for this type of behavior?
What Does God Have to Say?
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
(c)