“He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man {gets} insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.” Proverbs 9:7, 8 how many of us have felt this truth from People in certain situations?? (this is a rhetorical question) this is one reason i purposely avoid “saying” / saying something to someone about something that he or she says, said, did, or does though something clearly needs to be said for the greater Good of that person aNd / or other People because i seriously dread confrontation aNd from some People, through our past interactions with them, we learn to not address certain things, unless we’re lOoKing for a fight! how many People deny maturity in their lives because of Pride or some other Sin?? i especially love the last part of this passage in Scripture, this is sO true!! if you reprove a wise person he or she will love you!! when a person is corrected aNd if he or she doesn’t appreciate the correction, particularly if the correction is done gently, Biblically, with Grace aNd if the correction is called for, the correction is necessary, to maintain fellowship in Christ together in the bond of Peace for believers in Christ aNd to maintain a friendship or a good working relationship for non believers in Christ, then either that person is not a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ or that person’s fellowship with Christ (if indeed he or she is a believer in Christ) is not maturing, aNd such People remain as they are, in some situations they are stale aNd spiritually less effective or spiritually ineffective, aNd if that person is a true believer in Christ Jesus, though it may be reasonable to have questions about that person’s faith aNd identity in Christ, given the bad fruit that produces (not that it‘s necessarily our place to know whether or not a person is truly a follower of Christ, but then, it actually is indeed if we are believers in Christ, but it is not our place to condemn anyone), he or she is not fulfilling God’s general aNd specific Call of Good Purpose aNd thus there are People, both believers in Christ aNd non believers of Christ, who suffer needlessly in this world, aNd the People closest to us, our Family aNd Friends, may be the most personally negatively affected, aNd thus broken friendships, interrupted fellowships, aNd broken Family homes continue, aGaIn needlessly .. there is a place, an appropriate time, for correction, instruction, rebuke, aNd even a simple observation to be given from all believers in Christ Jesus!! anyone who asks of a mature Christ-abiding believer a question like “Who are you to tell me something?” is asking the wrong question, the right question for such a person to ask is “Who am I to reject God’s instruction through this person, this Family member, this Friend, or this stranger [whoever it is], who has been sent into my life?” “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction” Proverbs 1:7 “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 17:3 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen {to you,} take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:15-17 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things {put on} love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms {and} hymns {and} spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:25:03 +0000
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