"What is your reaction to "hard" preaching? Many people expect the preacher to deliver a message that will make them "feel good." They want to be encouraged. They want to be uplifted. They want to be told that "Something Good is going to happen to them." Although a message from God can include all these things, to hear a swift rebuke or a message of correction and instruction is just as Scriptural. In this message, we would like to examine the Word of God to see what it says about this matter."
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
"All Scripture is profitable" - It is useful, helpful, serviceable, and advantageous. For what purpose? It is adapted to give instruction and administer reproof. This is what the definition of "profitable" implies. Paul then goes on to teach us for what purpose "all Scripture is profitable."
This basically includes teaching the Will of God as well as communicating the instruction necessary to fulfill God's Will.
This includes the conviction of Sin, the punishment for Sin, and the refutation of error. It includes such preaching that convinces man of his Sin as well as the preaching of the Truth and its claims on one's life.
This word "correction" means to restore once again to an upright or right state. It includes anything that centers on the improvement of one's life or character. This word cannot be found anywhere else in the New Testament. It involves a setting to rights - to right up again, a restoration, a reformation, or anything that leads to correction or amendment of life. It involves putting men in proper condition in regard to moral behavior. It involves recovering those who have committed Sin.
This word "instruction" means tutorage, education, training, nurture, as well as chastisement or disciplinary correction. This involves teaching others what is right and what is required of them so that they in turn can lead a holy and upright life before God and men. It involves teaching the principles outlined in the Word of God as well as the rules of holy living so that others may lead a life pleasing unto the Lord.
Notice that the Apostle Paul did not mention one time that the Scriptures are profitable to make us feel good or to make us happy. It is certainly true that when we take heed to God's Word and live up to its demands, we will "feel good" and be extremely happy.
In Psalms we see a perfect example of this:
Psalm 119:1-2 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart."
That word "blessed" means "Oh How Happy!" So it is the blameless, the obedient, and the seekers after God who are the "happy people"! It is through the Scriptures which are "profitable" that they arrive at such a state:
2 Timothy 3:17 "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
The Scriptures are "profitable ... for reproof ... for instruction in righteousness". Many times in the Scriptures (especially the Book of Proverbs), we see the words "reproof" and "instruction" coupled together. Let's examine some verses to see what they have to say on this subject.
Proverbs 6:23 "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
Here Proverbs informs us that instruction which reproves us for any Sin and error in our lives is simply a part of life - "...reproofs of instruction are the way of life." Correction, rebuke, chastisement, warning, discipline, checks, and restraints are simply a part of life - "the way of life." We can expect these things along our journey or the road that we travel along in this life. In fact, "reproofs" which show us our error and the instructions as to how to avoid such error lead us to "life more abundantly".
Proverbs 10:17 "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth."
Here Proverbs informs us that "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction..." These are the people who receive the Word of God with all meekness. They study it, take heed to its instruction, and regard its correction. They govern their lives according to its principles. They are the ones who are truly alive in Christ - "in the way of life" and are a "way of life" to others. In contrast, there are those who refuse reproof. This same verse says that they err - "...but he that refuseth reproof erreth." These are the people who willfully and obstinately refuse any kind of rebuke or correction from the Word. Consequently, they wander from "the way of life" themselves and then, in turn, become a "path to ruin" for others to follow. Giving heed to instruction keeps us in right standing with God. Refusing correction causes us to go astray and be far from God.
Proverbs 15:31 "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise."
And in this verse Proverbs tells us that "the ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise." In other words, a wise man is one who is willing to be admonished. Are we considered "wise'? Do we gratefully receive words of correction and then obey them?
Proverbs 12:1 "Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish."
Proverbs 12:1 tells us that to love instruction and correction is to "truly" love "knowledge" or the Word of God. But, to "hate reproof" or to take it as an affront to be told of one's faults is to be considered like a brute beast - stupid, dull-hearted, and indiscriminating. Are we like the brute beast? Do we resist all admonition from the Word? Or do we delight in "instruction", even that which comes through counsel, admonition, or reproof?
Proverbs 15:10 "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."
Here Proverbs tells us that "correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way..." If we find any words of restraint, warning, and discipline on our lifestyle to be displeasing, uneasy, and disagreeable to us, the chances are that we have departed from following the Lord. This Scripture goes on to say, "...and he that hateth reproof shall die." If we cannot bear to be corrected, we can expect to be destroyed. That word "die" means to die prematurely by neglect of wise moral conduct or to perish. If we will not be reproved, we will face ruin, and that at an early age. May God put His Fear on these words to us and our children!
We have seen throughout the Scriptures that discipline, chastening, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint, check, and rebuke are all a vital part of life. They cannot be avoided unless we want to face total ruin.
In closing, let us read of the possible anguish, illustrated by Solomon in Proverbs, of one who refuses reproof and has to suffer the terrible consequences:
Proverbs 5:12-13 "And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!"
May God help us today to receive His Word to us, whether it come by "Great Encouragement" or "Admonition" and "Warning". It is all sent by our Heavenly Father to keep us in "the way of life" wherein He dwells.
 Send E-mail to Russ: webslave for Christ ( russ@jesuswept.com ) with questions or comments about this web site and it's content. Last modified: 12/04/2002 |
