An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Unpopular but Necessary

(2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

In the context of Proverbs 9:7 we can look to other passages.  "Reproof" (1649a) is one of the words that some people do not want to see in the NT, especially in the hands of a pastor.  You can see certain guidelines, such as starting off in private (Mt 18:15), but the object is to expose sin enough to bring repentance.  The Holy Spirit is the one who does the convicting, but we are not to use that as an escape, because it seems that the Holy Spirit uses us as one of His instruments of conviction.  We are commanded to do this, specially pastors.

"Correction" (1882) is found only here in the NT.  It comes from a word that means to straighten out.  Notice the reference to the woman in Luke 13:13 who was bent over under a spiritual burden, a sickness caused by a spirit.  And at the touch of Jesus she was "made erect again" (461) or corrected (1882), as we might say.

So be careful.  Don’t gleefully go out with your Pharisee meter.  At the same time be ready to offer loving correction when it is needed, always at the right time and with the right spirit.  Save a soul from Hell.

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