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A Word of Rebuke - How Good Is it?
What is your reaction to "hard" preaching?
Many people expect the preacher to deliver a message that will make them
"feel good." They want to be encouraged. They want to be uplifted. They
want to be told that "Something Good is going to happen to you."
Although a message from God can include all these things, to hear a swift
rebuke or a message of correction and instruction is just as Scriptural.
In this message, we would like to examine the Word of God to see what it
says about this matter.
In 2 Timothy 3:16 the Apostle Paul told Timothy - "All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
"All Scripture is profitable" - It is useful, helpful, serviceable,
and advantageous.
For what purpose?
It's adapted to give instruction and administer reproof. This is what the
definition of "profitable" implies.
Paul then goes on to teach us for what purpose "all Scripture is
profitable."
A. It is Profitable for Doctrine.
This basically includes teaching the Will of God as well as communicating
the instruction necessary to fulfill
God's Will.
B. It is Profitable for Reproof.
This includes the conviction of Sin, the punishment for Sin, and the
refutation of error.
It includes such preaching that convinces man of his Sin as well as the
preaching of the Truth and its claims on one's life.
C. It is Profitable for Correction.
This word "correction" means to restore once again to an upright or right
state. It includes anything that
centers on the improvement of one's life or character. This word cannot be
found anywhere else in the New Testament. It involves a setting to rights
- to right up again, a restoration, a reformation, or anything that leads
to correction or amendment of life. It involves putting men in proper
condition in regard to moral behavior or recovering those who have
committed Sin.
D. It is Profitable for Instruction in Righteousness.
This word "instruction" means tutorage, education, training, nurture, as
well as chastisement or disciplinary correction. It involves teaching
others what is right and what is required of them so that they in turn can
lead a holy and upright life before God and men. It involves teaching the
principles outlined in the Word of God as well as the rules of holy living
so that others may lead a life pleasing unto the Lord.
Notice that the Apostle Paul did not mention one time that the Scriptures
are profitable to make us feel good or to make us happy. It's certainly
true that when we take heed to God's Word and live up to its demands, we
will "feel good" and be extremely happy.
Psalm 119:1-2 gives us a perfect example of this -
That word "blessed" means Oh How Happy!
So it is the blameless, the obedient, and the seekers after God who are
the happy people!
2 Timothy 3:17 - It is through the Scriptures
which are "profitable" that they arrive at such a state -
Once again, we read that the Scriptures are
"profitable...for reproof...for instruction in righteousness."
Many times in the Word of God(especially the Book of Proverbs), we see the
words "reproof" and "instruction" coupled together. Let's examine some
verses to see what they have to say on this subject. First of all,
Correction, rebuke, chastisement, warning,
discipline, checks, and restraints are simply a part of life - "the way
of life." We can expect these things along our journey on the road
that we travel in this life. In fact, "reproofs" which show us our
error and the instructions as to how to avoid such error lead us to
"life more abundantly."
These are the people who receive the Word of
God with all meekness. They study it, take heed to its instruction, and
regard its correction. They govern their lives according to its
principles. They are the ones who are truly alive in Christ - "in the
way of life" and are a "way of life" to others.
In contrast, there are those who "refuseth reproof." This same
verse says that they "err" - "...but he that refuseth reproof erreth."
These are the people who willfully and obstinately refuse any kind of
rebuke or correction from the Word. Consequently, they wander from "the
way of life" themselves and then, in turn, become a "path to ruin" for
others to follow.
Giving heed to instruction keeps us in right standing with God. Refusing
correction causes us to go astray and be far from Him.
In other words, a "wise" man is one who is
willing to be admonished.
Are we considered "wise'? Do we gratefully receive words of correction and
then obey them?
To love instruction and correction is to truly
love "knowledge" or the Word of God. But, to "hate reproof" or to take it
as an affront to be told of one's faults is to be considered like a brute
beast - stupid, dull-hearted, and indiscriminating.
Are we like the brute beast? Do we resist all admonition from the Word? Or
do we delight in "instruction," even that which comes through counsel,
admonition, or reproof?
If we find any words of restraint, warning,
and discipline on our lifestyle to be displeasing, uneasy, and
disagreeable to us, the chances are that we have departed from following
the Lord.
This Scripture goes on to say - "...and he that hateth reproof shall
die." If we cannot bear to be corrected, we can expect to be
destroyed. That word "die" means to die prematurely by neglect of wise
moral conduct or to perish.
If we will not be reproved, we will face ruin, and that at an early age.
May God put His Fear on these words to us and our children!
We have seen throughout the Scriptures that discipline, chastening,
reproof, warning, instruction, restraint, check, and rebuke are all a
vital part of life. They cannot be avoided unless we want to face total
ruin.
In closing, let's read of the possible anguish, illustrated by Solomon in
Proverbs 5:12-13, of one who refuses reproof and has to suffer the
terrible consequences - "And say, How have I hated instruction, and my
heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor
inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!"
May God help us today to receive His Word to us, whether it come by Great
Encouragement or Admonition and Warning. It's all sent by our Heavenly
Father to keep us in "the way of life" wherein He dwells.
Connie
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