The difficult, and gracious, truth is that being a Christian and following after Christ in a genuine walk is part and parcel with the correct receiving of Biblical reproof. Look at sweet, bless his heart Peter.
In Matthew 16:13-18, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" Everyone offered up some sort of answer, but it is Peter who answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of John, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven." Jesus goes on to tell Peter that as His apostle he will serve as a foundational rock for the Church of Jesus Christ on earth.
This of course is not Biblical reproof because ding! ding! ding! Peter got it right! His answer issued forth from a heart touched by God the Father who gives His people eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand. (Ps 119:18, 27, 66)
However, the next interchange involving Peter and his answers is not so appealing to consider. Just a few verses later you read that Jesus began to speak of how He would go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the chief priests, including being killed and then raised to life.
"Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 'Never, Lord!' he said. 'This shall never happen to you!' Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'"
OUCH! That was Biblical reproof. Peter went from being called "Blessed" by the Lord Jesus Christ to being called "Satan" by the Lord Jesus Christ. That had to hurt. That had to cause Peter some pause. I mean, here he was just trying to protect Jesus, his friend and teacher from injury. Here he was just looking out for the feelings of the people, the apostles, and even himself as one of those following Jesus. Here he was just about to suggest a possible different interaction to be had with the dissenting chief priests. Here he was just, just, just.
But Jesus would not have any of Peter's good intentions or feelings about the situation. Instead, Jesus reproved Peter for not having the things of God in mind. Instead, Peter was thinking the things of men.
God's ways are not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isa 55:8) But with every revelation of Himself that God has given us in His word, we are to diligently pursue and study the things of God. (2 Tim 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:2) With every strength of body, we are to carry a cross that proves love of Christ by its engendered obedience. (Mt 16:24, 1 Jn 5:3) With every ounce, fiber, nerve, scrap, hair, and baby toe, Christians are to lose their individual lives in the persevering work of being mature and complete through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 16:25, Jam 1:5, Php 3:12)
Biblical reproof is not a necessary evil but a necessary grace. "..do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves..." (Heb 12:5-6)
The specifics of how a Christian is to give and receive Biblical reproof are in His word--to be read, to be studied, to be practiced with humility and repentance, truth and wisdom. If anyone does not know how to give or receive, then whose things does one have in mind? For the day will come when Jesus' reproof or blessing will ring into eternity, and good intentions, feelings, and rationalization will be set aside unto destruction.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise." Psalm 51:17
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
ReplyDeleteBlessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:1-9
Elle-
ReplyDeleteWow, this was an excellent post.
Biblical reproof is not a necessary evil but a necessary grace. "..do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves..." (Heb 12:5-6)
Thank you for these sharpening words...
Biblical reproof is not a necessary evil but a necessary grace.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
It is so much easier to avoid than to face up to it!!
Thank you for this post.
Elle:
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. It encouraged me and confirmed the direction I must take in a situation here. I am grateful for men and women bloggers who hold to a high view of God and His Word. Grateful for His Grace, Wendy
Thank you so much for these encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteGod is severely rebuking me for a situation I got myself into involving strife. Now I see clearly why God had to reprimand me: so that I would not continue in that destruction.
He redeems our lives from destruction! That is why we need His discipline!