Admonishment needs to be done carefully and only after you’ve gained the right to do so. When we see someone going down the wrong path, we want to warn them, to alert them to possible consequences. But more importantly, we need to show them ways of correction. Because, admonishment just for the sake of lam-blasting someone is wrong if we can’t supply practical, sound judgment … wise words of correction…and hope.
I Thessalonians 2:12 “…encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.”
Speaking comforting words to someone is much more than just consoling them with platitudes. Sometimes we need to be cheerleaders for God…reassuring and quieting fears – letting them know , “You can do this!” But also gently reminding them, that God is still in control and not to give up.
Acts 13: 15 ” Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
Paul and Barnabas had traveled to Pisidian Antioch and were in the Synagogue on the Sabbath when the Synagogue Leaders invited them to speak. The greatest words of encouragement you can give anyone is the Gospel message, and Paul did that, by telling them the Good News…that Jesus had died for their sins so they could have eternal life. To share the Gospel with others is the ultimate word of encouragement.
Acts 4:36 ” Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)…”
Barnabas not only had the spiritual gift of encouragement, but the nickname also. His mission and focus in life was to comfort and encourage others. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as our Comforter…our Paraclete. Someone who comes up along side as a intercessor, advocate, encourager, and exhorter. To be a Barnabas, we need to be a Paraclete to others.
Romans 14:19 ” Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
To be an uplifting influence in a person’s life isn’t what the world wants to do. No, rather the world wants to degrade, defame, and depreciate. So as Believers, we have to take on the task ourselves…being the hands and feet of Jesus, we must take His example and become that positive uplifting influence to all around. The world tears people down…we must build them back up.
Jude 3 ” I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”
The Gospel has been given to us totally, fully, and completely. We are to study, learn, believe, and defend it. We are not to add to it, delete from it, or alter the wonderful message of salvation.
Habakkuk 1:13 ” Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do You tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? “
Habakkuk’s name means “wrestler”…and throughout this book, he wrestles with the question of why God would let evil go unpunished. We could easily ask the very same question today. Why do violent, murderous people continue to prey on the innocent? Where is Your justice Lord? It’s an age-old question that humanity has struggled with forever, and may never fully understand.
Romans 8:15 ” For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of son ship.”
Before you were in bondage…now you are free. Before you were subject to fear…now you are liberated from its grip. Before you were an orphan in the world…now you have been adopted into the Family of God.
Isaiah 28: 16 ” So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ “
What are you standing on? If you’re believing in the world’s standards and ideology, you’ll be disappointed and disillusioned. But if your trust and faith is in the one sure foundation of Jesus Christ…regardless of upheaval around, you will be established firmly in His care.
John 4: 42 ” They said to the woman, ‘ We no longer believe just because of what you said; Now we have heard ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’ “
The Samaritan woman’s divine appointment with Jesus at the well had so impacted her that she hurried back to tell everyone, “Come, see a man who has told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” And the scriptures say that many believed because of her testimony. Her testimony…her unique story of how Jesus came into her life and changed it for the better. Her testimony was what drew the people to Jesus, but each then had their own encounter with the Savior…receiving not only eternal life, but their own unique story…their own testimony to share with others.
Safetypinlove 