Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (2)

On the other hand, people should not tire and wear out the patience of others; nor should the weaker so far demand moderation from others as to rely upon their indulgence and so to rest in their own infirmities, with danger to their own souls and scandal to the church.
When blindness and boldness, ignorance and arrogance, weakness and wilfulness, meet together in men, it renders them odious to God, burdensome in society, disturbers of better purposes, intractable and incapable of better direction, and miserable in the outcome. Christ shows his gracious power by patiently letting men come to understand themselves in order to breed humility. He does it as a preservative against discouragements from weakness and to bring men closer to grace. Christ refuses none for weakness of parts, that none should be discouraged, but accepts none for greatness, that none should be lifted up with that which is of so little reckoning with God. The scope of true love is to make the person better, which concealment can hinder. With some a spirit of meekness prevails most, but with some a rod. Some must be 'pulled out of the fire’ (Jude 23) with violence, and they will bless God for it in the day of his visitation. We see that our Saviour multiplies woe upon woe when he has to deal with hard-hearted hypocrites (Matt. 23:13), for hypocrites need stronger conviction than gross sinners, because their will is bad, and therefore usually their conversion is violent. A hard knot must have an answerable wedge. A sharp reproof sometimes is a precious pearl and a sweet balm. The wounds of secure sinners will not be healed with sweet words. The Holy Spirit came as well in fiery tongues as in the likeness of a dove, and the same Holy Spirit offers a spirit of prudence and discretion which is the salt to season all our words and actions. Such wisdom will teach us 'to speak a word in season' (Isa. 50:4), both to the weary, and likewise to the secure soul.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 23-24 [26-28]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.