We just went through a period where we remembered the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus shed His blood for us as that was the only way our sins would have been forgiven. (See Hebrews 9:22). He is our perfect sacrifice, who we often take for granted even as Christians. Too many of us have rebelled and gone our own way, and some of us may even use Bible verses to justify our ungodly behavior. It is important that we recognize our sins and confess them with a repentant heart. That means we are not just saying we are sorry we sinned and keep on going back to it, but we need to make a decision to turn from our sins and return to God’s path. Yes, Jesus did a finished work on the cross and because of it all our sins have been forgiven, ones we have done in the past and will do in the future. However, that doesn’t mean we stay in sin and think all is well. We are instructed in God’s Word to confess and repent of our wrongs.
One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19
God’s kindness does lead to repentance. When I realize that I have done wrong and yet God is so good and kind to me, I am grieved. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, but worldly sorry leads to death. It seems we don’t want to be rebuked or corrected, and we don’t want to rebuke or correct anyone, however the Bible tells us to do this. If we love people, we will desire that they are on God’s path, and that may mean we have to confront their sin whether we or they like it or not.
For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith. Titus 1:10-13
Recently, a friend of mine told me that I was “insensitive and hard.” I didn’t get upset because if I am, I need to change. Thankfully, another friend came in and defended me. I have subsequently asked other friends if they thought I was like this, and they have said no. I even brought it before God as it is necessary to take criticism and correction and bring it before His throne because it is important that Christians are truly Christlike. Now, many will say we shouldn’t judge, but the Bible clearly states that if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, we who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; while looking at ourselves, so that we are not tempted as well. (See Galatians 6:1). I know a person is a good friend when he or she tells me the hard truth I don’t want to hear, but need to hear to bring me back on God’s straight and narrow path.
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
Let us not be fooled, we all sin and fall short of God’s glory, so we should be open to rebuke and correction. The Scripture itself is beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness. (See 2 Timothy 3:16). Unfortunately, too many of us feel we are right in our own eyes, and we justify our sins and cover them up. We even somehow try to make sin look good.
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
I am quite aware that many of us live in a culture that we cannot say something is wrong, or we cannot disagree or else we will be considered an awful person. I was in the supermarket recently and the elderly lady in front of me who was taking her time pointed out that I needed to wait because she was a senior and I was in the senior line. I felt so bad because I hadn’t seen the sign. So, I apologized to the elderly gentleman behind me and asked if I could stay in the line. I had Bible study in less than an hour and needed to get home. One lady declared to me, “You can be anything, you want to be. If you want to be senior, you can be senior. These days you can be anything you want to be.” I agreed with her and told her I could tell her I am a flower and she couldn’t say anything or she would be in trouble. She responded, “Yes, because I could be cancelled.” There were a few amused folks around laughing. And the elderly gentleman behind me said that it is up to my generation to make a change. However, my new friend who I would never want to cancel because of her candor, retorted, “No, it is up to all of us.” I concur, but how many of us are willing to speak up about the wrongs around us? Are we ready to correct someone from a position of love? And are we ready to be corrected?
Listen to advice and accept discipline, so that you may be wise the rest of your days. Proverbs 19:20
One who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates rebuke is stupid. Proverbs 12:1
I don’t want to be stupid, I want to make sure if I am being rebuked and corrected, I will listen and be ready to confess my sins and repent if I am truly culpable, so that I live a life pleasing to God. King David was not perfect, yet God called Him a man after His own heart. He listened to rebuke, accepted he had done wrong, and repented. Are you ready to do the same?
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