14 Sept 2013 by Lim Poh Ann-
Almost thirty years ago, when I was attending a Baptist church, a visiting prophet gave me this word of rebuke: “You are supposed to be a leader and pillar in this church but you have not been living up to your potential.” It was a most accurate commentary of my spiritual state then. That was truly a wake-up call for me.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work(2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction(2 Timothy 4:2).
Love is not all soft and mushy. Unless truth is upheld, we are just being wishy washy with our faith, fearful of confronting error or sin—whether it is in us or others.
Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives(Jude 1:23).
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love(Ephesians 4:15-16).
“Truth, like surgery, may hurt, but it cures.” — Han Suyin
Footnotes:
Source :
Porridge For The Soul By Dr Lim Poh Ann
http://limpohann.blogspot.com/
http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-giving-rebuke.html
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References for pictures:
http://jhkelly.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/eyes_wide_open_1680x1050.jpg
http://personalexcellence.co/quotes/files/inspirational-quote-good-advice.jpg
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