None of us like to be told we’re doing something wrong, especially if we’re enjoying it. Everyone needs constructive criticism, and the biggest room in the world is the room to grow. Most of us realize this. We know growth is a necessary part of life, but we love our routines. We like sameness and familiarity because they bring us comfort. However, the truth is that the Christian walk is not always comfortable. It challenges us to be better aligned with the mind of Christ and the Will of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of this, because earth is our temporary dwelling place. We’re only here on earth for a short while, and God commands us to use every moment of our time to grow in Christ and increase the intimacy in our relationship with Him.
When Christ walked the earth, he challenged sameness, broke up routines, and made a lot of folks uncomfortable. Matthew 16:24(ESV) states, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” His true disciples dropped everything and left the familiar and comfortable behind. They were not perfect. They had personalities and patterns of behaviors that contradicted the example of Christ, but in order to be with him, they needed to change. The only way they could do this was to humble themselves under Christ and be corrected by him. We must do the same.
2Timothy 3:16(NLT) states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Every word in the Bible was written as holy men of God wrote under the direction and power of God’s Holy Spirit. ALL scripture is God breathed, and it teaches us God’s truth. It causes us to wake up and realize the wrong we’ve done. The Holy Spirit dwells within us when we become born-again. One of the Spirit’s jobs is to convict us inwardly of our bad behavior, wrong decisions, and incorrect choices. The Spirit does not do anything outside the boundaries of scripture. He follows exactly what God says is wrong and right in His Word.
We grow from our mistakes, and God knew that we would. He’s given us His Word so we can correct ourselves and get back on the path of His blessings. Therefore, we should understand that when we deviate from the path, if we commit ourselves to read God’s Word, it will reprove and correct us. Then we can go higher in the things of Christ.
We must also know that there are consequences for our bad behavior, wrong decisions, and incorrect choices. Sin has a price, and we will always pay it. God forgives us when we ask for it, but He also chastises us. Hebrews 12:5-7(NLT) tells us, “5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?”
God commands us to constantly grow and abound in Christ. It’s His Will that we increase in the character and example of our Lord and do so with each passing day. Colossians 1:15(NLT) declares, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.” Christ is fully human and fully man. He is everything God created humans to be. He is God’s blueprint for our design, and he walked upon this earth doing, thinking, speaking, and feeling as God in human form. He is the way to the Father, and we must learn to accept God’s correction as we become more like Christ.
We will not always like God’s correction, but we desperately need it. We are His children of light, and we must know the truth and discern right from wrong. God’s plan is that we think, act, speak, and live like Jesus Christ. We must be ever so thankful that He loves us enough to correct us, and that through this earth experience, He is perfecting and preparing us for a glorious future ahead. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“God’s Correction”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.