Community Principle #3 Admonishing and Being Admonished
Previous principles given:
#1 Knowing and Being Known
#2 Serving and Being Served
What the Bible says about: The Justification for Speaking Truth
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Eph 4:25)
Footnotes:
Illustration of one part of the body not caring about another part of the body.
We are interconnected within the body of Christ
Our words of correction or admonishment should be kept within the “family”
What we do individually affects the whole.
If we do not speak the truth then the relationship is based on pretense and is not authentic and real.
An unwillingness to speak and hear the truth destroys community.
What the Bible says about: The Purpose of Speaking Truth
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. (Col 1:28)
Footnotes:
Goal: that each of us would become more Christ-like If we do not speak the truth than we do not have our brother or sister’s best interest at heart
We permit them to continue in sin and error out of our own insecurities
Correction is offered for their benefit from the standpoint of love for them and God.
What the Bible says about: The Manner of Speaking Truth
…Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another …(Col 3:15-16)
Footnotes:
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.
Check yourself first:
Are you at peace? Correction is not offered to ‘get even,’punish, or disparage.
It is not done out of selfishness, or woundedness.
It is done to unify the body and bring healing to the body.
It is done with gratitude to God for His grace toward us, and gratitude for the presence of the other person in your life.
What the Bible says about: God’s Work in Speaking Truth
…with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth…(2 Tim 2:24-26 see below)
Footnotes:
"The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape
from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Your job is NOT to convince or convict anyone!
With kindness, humility and gentleness offer correction.
Leave the results to God
What the Bible says about: The Benefit of Speaking Truth
…if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
(James 5:19-20)
Footnote:
It is STILL about their good!
What the Bible says about: Those who Refuse to Hear Truth
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
Reality Check
Surface Relationships produce artificial community
Authentic Community requires Honest Relational Investment
Footnotes:
Share the real you and Be willing to accept loving correction
Love others enough to call them out when they are not Biblical or Christ-like
Real Community can be Real messy, but we are called to Authentic Oneness