The 17-year-old young man is nearly everything a parent could ask for in a son. He is loving toward his siblings. He chooses good friends, and he shows concern for those who are not part of his inner circle. He does his share of the work at home, and he holds down a parttime job, while keeping up his grades.

There is one problem though. He seems to become a different person when he gets behind the wheel of a car. One day he pulled out of a parking lot with such carelessness that he almost ran into two people standing by a parked car. What were his parents supposed to do about this? Should they overlook his recklessness in light of all his good qualities? Or should they confront him with this flaw in his character?

In Revelation 2, the Lord addressed the problem of disobedience in His children. Even if most areas of our Christian life are in line with His will, this doesn't mean He will overlook those that are not. The point at which we knowingly disobey God is exactly where our faith needs to be reexamined. Our Father is patient and understanding, yet He takes our unfaithfulness seriously.

In the matter of spiritual growth, the issue is not just what I am doing right, but what I am doing wrong.  — Mart De Haan