Most of us think that “up” is preferable to “down”. This preference reflects our inborn love of God. We correctly sense that He is “above” us, and we want to be closer to Him.
As we rise in a building or an airplane, we can see farther. When we rise toward God, one of the things we can see around us is the damage that sin does.
Most of us can apply that knowledge to our own lives. We see that our own behaviors may eternally damage our souls. We find ourselves resisting sin. As we do so, we grow closer to God.
We would cry: “Watch out!” if we saw a blind person stepping toward a gaping hole. We should do no less when we see a morally blind person heading toward error.
The truly blind person will thank us for saving him from a bad fall. The morally blind may snarl “Mind your own business!” Most of us have had that sort of response from those stuck in their sins, and most of us have learned to avoid saying anything upsetting.
Our silence reinforces their behavior, and may help ensure their self-destruction. As we get closer to God, and more clearly see the consequences of sin, we may find one conversational approach helpful:
“I used to do that. Then, I realized it offended God, and I was afraid of final judgment.”
We must never forget that “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.” Any time we can show someone the association between behaving badly and the agonies of Hades, it’s a beginning.
