Good Morning “Right Rebukers.” Today we are in Job 11.
We all sin (Romans 3:23). God gives us each other to do life together, and part of that is holding each other accountable. It’s sticky business when we see a friend caught up in sin. How do we handle the responsibility we have to rebuke them without destroying our relationship with them. Answer… we do it correctly!
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:1-3 NIV
Notice the last verse. Humility is key. EVERYONE has sinned - that means you and me too. That means we as sinners are called to hold our friends that are sinners accountable. But… not from our ivory tower, or high horse, but from a place of understanding. We’re in the same sin boat together - let’s work together. Look if Jesus who is God can be gentle and understanding (Hebrews 4:15-16) then we who are not God ought to be able to approach gently.
If you want an example of how to do it wrong, just check out Jobs friends. Today we read about Zophar. His harsh arrogant rebuke has me screaming inside as I read these pages. How was he so far off?
Once a person distances themselves from a correct understanding of God’s Word, they also distances themself from the attributes of a believer who has a right standing with the Lord, namely, compassion, grace, mercy, gentleness, and empathy. Apart from these we act harshly and selfishly. A harsh, misapplied, inappropriate rebuke does nothing to help the other person. Instead it serves to elevate one’s self to a higher position… at least in our own minds.
Jesus had a way of rebuking sin and yet leaving the sinner encouraged and inspired. How did He do it so well? He was in constant communion with The Father (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:13,23, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Hint, if our relationship with God is not where it should be… we’re not in a good place to be pointing out sin others.
We are stronger together - not torn down.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 NIV
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
Hebrews 10:24 NIV
“remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 NIV
Love you all! Dig in!
We all sin (Romans 3:23). God gives us each other to do life together, and part of that is holding each other accountable. It’s sticky business when we see a friend caught up in sin. How do we handle the responsibility we have to rebuke them without destroying our relationship with them. Answer… we do it correctly!
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:1-3 NIV
Notice the last verse. Humility is key. EVERYONE has sinned - that means you and me too. That means we as sinners are called to hold our friends that are sinners accountable. But… not from our ivory tower, or high horse, but from a place of understanding. We’re in the same sin boat together - let’s work together. Look if Jesus who is God can be gentle and understanding (Hebrews 4:15-16) then we who are not God ought to be able to approach gently.
If you want an example of how to do it wrong, just check out Jobs friends. Today we read about Zophar. His harsh arrogant rebuke has me screaming inside as I read these pages. How was he so far off?
Once a person distances themselves from a correct understanding of God’s Word, they also distances themself from the attributes of a believer who has a right standing with the Lord, namely, compassion, grace, mercy, gentleness, and empathy. Apart from these we act harshly and selfishly. A harsh, misapplied, inappropriate rebuke does nothing to help the other person. Instead it serves to elevate one’s self to a higher position… at least in our own minds.
Jesus had a way of rebuking sin and yet leaving the sinner encouraged and inspired. How did He do it so well? He was in constant communion with The Father (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:13,23, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Hint, if our relationship with God is not where it should be… we’re not in a good place to be pointing out sin others.
We are stronger together - not torn down.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 NIV
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
Hebrews 10:24 NIV
“remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 NIV
Love you all! Dig in!
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