Friday, 11 June, 2021
Rebuke
By Prathab V

Luke 17: 3-4 (HCSB)

A few years ago, a church elder committed a very serious offence. It was an alleged criminal offence. He was accused of embezzling church funds, which was entrusted under his care. The church was poor but they have given generously over the years.

When the offence was pointed to the elder by the church Pastor, he cynically brushed it off and denied it altogether. He claimed that he was merely borrowing the money and would return it as soon as he has the funds. To cut a long story short, the church went into a crisis of leadership and was torn apart. It was a very difficult time for the small church. I could only pray for the church and encourage the pastor. When the matter was brought up to the congregation, surprisingly, some church leaders supported the elder instead of the Pastor. How tragic!

Accepting rebuke and correction is not an easy thing to do. As Christians, we pray that we remain humble and teachable. We boldly proclaim that we want to change our ways, by singing hymns every Sunday in church.

However, God does not always speak to us audibly. Sometimes, He uses others to speak to us instead. Here, church leaders are specially placed in a difficult spot which affects their pride. What if God uses a young Christian to rebuke the leaders? Would church leaders be willing to be rebuked or admonished by a younger Christian?

In my observation, most of us (including leaders) tend to get defensive when criticisms are thrown at them. Some deflect the blame and sometimes even provide flimsy excuses for errors.

Charles Spurgeon has this to say about receiving a rebuke: “We are one in Christ; let us be friends with one another; but let us never be friends with one another’s error. If I be wrong, rebuke me sternly; I can bear it, and bear it cheerfully; and if ye be wrong, expect the like measure from me, and neither peace nor parley with your mistakes.”

My prayer is that we pray and seek the Lord when rebuke or admonishment comes our way. Our comfort and encouragement come directly from Jesus, who also encouraged us to forgive the offender.

Jesus said: “ Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4, HCSB).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, please help me to be humble always like you. Let me not brush away criticisms against me. Help me to accept all rebukes, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I ask. Amen.

每日灵粮
星期五，2021年6月11日
标题：“劝戒”
作者：帕拉他伯（Prathab V）
翻译：陈月妃

路加福音17: 3-4

几年前，一位教会长老犯了一个非常严重的罪行。这是涉嫌刑事犯罪。他被指控挪用一笔由他保管的教会资金。这教会很穷，但他们多年来一直慷慨的奉献。

当教会牧师指控这长老时，他愤世嫉俗地不予理睬并完全否认。他声称他只是在借钱，一旦有了钱就会归还。长话短说，教会陷入领导危机并四分五裂。对这座小教堂来说，那是一段非常艰难的时期。我只能为教会祈祷并鼓励牧师。当这件事向会众提起时，令人惊讶的是，一些教会领袖支持长老而不是牧师。多悲惨啊！

接受劝戒和纠正不是一件容易的事。身为基督徒，我们祈祷我们保持谦卑和受教的心。我们每周日在教堂唱圣歌，大胆地宣告我们要改变我们的方式。

然而，上帝并不总是对我们说话。有时候，祂用别人来向我们说话。在这里，教会领袖们被特别安置在一个挑战他们的自尊的困境中。如果上帝使用一个年轻的基督徒来劝戒领袖们呢？教会领袖们会愿意受到年轻基督徒的劝戒或提醒吗？

根据我的观察，我们中的大多数人（包括领导者）在受到批评时往往会采取防御态度。有些人推卸责任，有时甚至为错误提供站不住脚的借口。

查尔斯•司布真 (Charles Spurgeon) 在说到关于受到劝戒时有此一说：“我们在基督里是一体的；让我们彼此成为朋友；但让我们永远不要与彼此的错误成为朋友。如果我错了，请严厉斥责我；我可以承受，并且愉快地承受；如果你错了，请期待我对你采取同样的做法，不要粉饰太平，也不要与你的错误妥协。”

我的祷告是，当劝戒或训诫临到我们的时候，我们祷告寻求主。我们的安慰和鼓励直接来自耶稣，祂也鼓励我们宽恕冒犯者。

耶稣说：“你们要谨慎．若是你的弟兄得罪你、就劝戒他．他若懊悔、就饶恕他。倘若他一天七次得罪你、又七次回转说、我懊悔了、你总要饶恕他。”（路加福音17：3-4）

祷告： 主耶稣，请帮助我永远像你一样谦卑。让我不要回避他人对我的批评。帮助我接受所有的劝戒，主。我奉耶稣的名求。阿门。