Should I Let You Drown?

I recently saw a thread on the page of a Facebook friend of mine that got pretty heated. The thrust of the “back-and-forth” was that no other person was qualified to call out the sins of another because they, themselves, are human, and just as fallible as any of their brethren. Therefore, the consensus among some of those in the thread was “You mind your business and I’ll mind mine”.

“Depart from me, a sinful man, oh Lord” was the cry of St. Peter in Luke 5:8, when our first Pope was overwhelmed with Jesus’ grace of a fruitful catch after many hours of empty nets. Indeed, none of us are perfect; St. Paul said “All sin and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, Jesus commanded us to “Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Proverbs 27:17 stated that “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. St. Paul, in Romans 16:17, said “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them”.

Therefore, it seems to appear that, despite our own sinfulness, our Lord commands us to support each other and keep each other “in check”. Lord knows I have committed my own share of sin (which I won’t reveal here), but I have appreciated where and when others have kept me honest and rebuked me for my failings. Conversely, I see others in sin, and I know my sin is edging me closer to Hell, and I do not want others to suffer the same fate that I might, so I cry out to them to repent and turn away from sin.

So, I liken my warnings to alerting a drowning brother or sister that a flotation ring is close to them, and they should grab it and hand on for dear life while there is still time to save themselves, even if I drown. If I do not do that, am I not complicit in the damnation of a brother or sister, thus compounding my own damnation?

In conclusion, pointing out the failings of another, even while you are in a state of sin, might be your redemption if your brother or sister is saved, even as you are failing. As for me, if I could save just one, even if not myself, I would be at peace in my last hour. Because, in the end, it’s not about me – it’s about serving others, even at the cost of myself.