When an unmarried girl who had become pregnant walked across the platform to receive her high school diploma, the audience gave her a standing ovation.

A secular writer who was present at the graduation commented that this wouldn’t have happened a few generations ago. The teenager likely would have been confronted about her sexual misconduct. He said that if she admitted she had done wrong, she likely would have been forgiven. Her parents and the boy’s parents, and perhaps their pastors, would have considered the possibility of marriage. They would have stood by them. But, said the columnist, those applauding this pregnant graduate were not giving real help. They were just offering shallow approval.

If a person who professes no faith in Christ can see this, we as Christians should be equally as perceptive. The apostle Paul didn’t hesitate to commend the Corinthian Christians for disciplining a man for immorality (2 Cor. 2:6). And when the offender repented, Paul was quick to urge them to forgive him fully (vv.7-10).

Thank You, Lord, for people who confront me when I do wrong, and who forgive and accept me when I repent. Thank You for their real help.

  — Herbert Vander Lugt