I Corinthians 4:14
“I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.”
In Christ we aren’t walking as individuals, but corporately as a body. So much of Jesus’ message was about loving, forgiving and relating to each other. Paul is demonstrating a challenging aspect of being in the body, admonishing.
We see it in proverbs, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (27:17). Admonishing is one part of love. It’s like seeing a blindspot in another’s life. The caring thing to do is to point it out.
The reason we don’t tell others about an issue is that they might get offended or angry. In time the person will be grateful we shared it. I won’t say I’ve done it many times, but a couple every few years.
A negative example is how some parents opt to be the child’s friend, not the parent. They want to be liked. This is not love. It’s not mature.
We are being like God when we properly admonish. Hebrews 12:26 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” No one loves us more than God. He corrects us as a loving Father, so we are to correct in the right times.
It’s important to pray about this. There have been times when I thought I was to correct, but circumstances blocked it. When this happens I pause and look heavenward and pray if I should continue and ask Him to bring about the right time. I think I’ve been blocked more than I’ve done it.
I do have a judgmental side of me that the Lord had to adjust. It came because of the harsh treatment I’ve been given. We put out what we know. As I grew in Christ one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned was about God’s love. Particularly His grace. I grew up in a church in which you couldn’t sacrifice enough. The phrase WWJD was punishing. I could always think of more I could do. I saw these as commands. Not so. That lesson was the biggest sigh of relief. It did take years.
We are to correct in a particular way. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” We are all susceptible to falling. Knowing that we are all dependent on God’s grace and protection we correct humbly.
Lord, thank You for Your correction. Help us to do it when necessary.