然而,好像很少有基督徒能够这样做。通常都是,如果他们的传道士站在讲道台上,传讲的是令大众感到高兴、舒适又容易做的,是大众信服的歪曲的真理时【例如:只要受洗、定期来教会奉献,你就能蒙福得救(断章取义自:马拉基3:8-12;哥林多后书9:5-7;马可福音12:42-44);只要相信,不用付诸相应的行动,靠着恩典你就能得救(断章取义自:罗马书1:6;以弗所2:8-9)。而主耶稣却反复警示说:“我告诉你们,不是的,你们若不悔改,都要如此灭亡。(路加福音13:5)你们要结出果子来,与悔改的心相称。现在斧子已经放在树根上,凡不结好果子的树,就砍下来丢在火里。”(路加福音3:8 -9)又说:“凡称呼我主阿、主阿的人,不能都进天国,惟独遵行我天父旨意的人才能进去。(马太福音7:21)你们若爱我,就必遵守我的命令。有了我的命令又遵守的,这人就是爱我的。爱我的必蒙我父爱他,我也要爱他,并且要向他显现。人若爱我,就必遵守我的道。我父也必爱他,并且我们要到他那里去,与他同住。(约翰福音14:15,21,23)”】,他们就认为他很棒,会很喜欢他,因为他使他们感觉很好。但是,如果传道士勇敢地站出来,传讲真道,指正他们做得不符合圣经教导的地方时,他们的反应就是立刻生气。
所以,你不要那样做。当你的牧师或基督肢体中的任何人,对你有指正的话时,你要充满感恩地接受,感激那些与你分享上帝智慧的人。当有人指出你有不符合上帝教导的地方时,你不是要反对他们,而是要自我省察,说:“是这样吗?他的指正与上帝的话语一致吗?我在那一点上需要作出改正吗?”
我知道这样做起来不容易,因为没有一个人喜欢被指正。可是,如果你立定心志,无论怎样都要谦卑地接受指正,那么在我们主的眼里,你就是受教的,你能够继续在灵命上更加快速地成长。
有人说:“如果你认为你已经到终点了,那么你就不会再前进了。”记住,下一次当有人指正你时,你要爱那个人,并且感谢他使你的灵命能够更快地进步。如果每次你都这样去做,你就会取得更大的进步。
Learn to Take Correction
Proverbs 9:8-9(NLT)
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
There is one thing you can do that will accelerate your spiritual growth more than almost any other thing: learn to take correction--from the SPIRIT of GOD and from HIS people.
So few believers seem to be able to do that. When their preacher gets in the pulpit and preaches about something they already know, about some aspect of life they've already submitted to the LORD believing that once save forever save, all your future sins are automatically forgiven. They think these preachers are great. They like him (the false preachers) because he makes them feel good by only preaching the promises of GOD, and totally ignoring salvation’s EXCLUSIONS, the REQUIREMENTS and the QUALIFYING CONDITIONS clearly stated in the Bible. But the moment a Preacher stands up and begins to preach about the wrath of GOD that comes on those who are disobedient and the things they're doing wrong and that they need to repent, they take offense.
GOD says that's foolish. HE says, in Proverbs 1:7, only fools strike out at, or despise, correction. Warning from 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of GOD? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor passive male homosexual partners nor dominant male homosexual partners, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards nor revellers, nor oppressive cheaters; these will not inherit the Kingdom of GOD
So don't be like that. When your pastor or anyone else in the Body of CHRIST has a word of correction for you, receive it gratefully. Appreciate those who share the wisdom of GOD with you. When someone points out somewhere that you've missed mark, instead of reacting against them, examine yourself and say, "Is that right? Does that agree with the WORD? Do I need to make a change there?"
If the answer to those questions is yes, then make the changes you need to make to get your life in line.
I know that's not easy. None of us likes to be corrected. But if you'll make up your mind you're going to receive that correction anyway, that you're going to remain teachable in the eyes of our LORD, you'll be able to go on and grow in spiritual things much more quickly.
One man said, "If you think you've already arrived, you aren't going anywhere." Remember that next time someone corrects you. Love that person and thank him for speeding along your spiritual progress. If you'll do that, you'll come out ahead every time.
Scripture Study:
Proverbs 3:11-24New Living Translation (NLT)
11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when HE corrects you.
12 For the LORD corrects those HS loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her (wisdom) wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her (wisdom).
16 She (Wisdom) offers you long life in her (wisdom’s) right hand,
and riches and honor in her (wisdom’s) left.
17 She (Wisdom) will guide you down delightful paths;
all her (wisdom’s) ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her (wisdom);
happy are those who hold her (wisdom) tightly.
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding HE created the heavens.
20 By HIS knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.