“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
-Proverbs 12:1
Receptivity to correction is absolutely essential for everyone, especially Christians.
Why is correction essential? Because, prior to our final judgment upon Christ’s return… sin is still an option that’s not only available to us, but one we often don’t even recognize we’ve selected.
In Leviticus 26 God warned His people their disobedience would cause progressively serious problems. Then He declared, “If in spite of these things you do not accept My correction but continue to be hostile toward Me, I Myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.”
Proverbs 1:7 reveals, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom, and correction, but fools despise.”
Proverbs 6:23 reveals, “…correction and instruction are the way to life,”
Proverbs 10:17 reveals, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”
Proverbs 15:10 reveals, “Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.”
Jeremiah 5:3 reveals, “…You struck them, but they felt no pain; You crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.”
Jeremiah 7:28 reveals, “Therefore say to them, ‘This is the people that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.’”
Zephaniah 3:7 reveals, “I thought, ‘Surely you will fear Me and accept correction!’ …But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.”
What was it the nation of Israel did that required God’s correction? What caused the Almighty to be so disgusted with His people - until destruction and exile eventually swept them away?
Was it baby sacrifice? Certainly that number pales in comparison to the abortion stats of today.
Was it sexual immorality? Possibly things like rampant STDs, premarital sex, adultery, fornication, public parades flaunting alternative lifestyles, or selling children into the sex trade?
Yes. But that’s certainly not all of it.
When we limit or reduce “sins” to those of the most heinous and egregious variety… we leave the door wide open for Satan to erect a counterfeit kingdom that’s equally repulsive and an abomination to God. A counterfeit kingdom we choose to become inhabitants of by despising correction.
The scribes, Pharisees, and experts of the Law walked the straight and narrow. Yet, King Jesus called them “hypocrites,” “white washed tombs,” “blind guides,” and “snakes,” because they shut the door to the kingdom in people’s faces… because they made others twice the children of hell they were… because they loved their honor, pride, prestige, traditions, and idols… and because they despised correction.
They couldn’t see Messiah, King Jesus, the Lamb of God standing in their midst, so they had Him executed because they despised correction.
If we’re walking around with a portrait of God, Jesus, the Church, or ministry, albeit even from Scripture, which is not only incomplete, but opposed to the truth… one that vehemently despises correction… then we are in the same boat as the nation of Israel, the fools of Proverbs… the rebels in the books of the Prophets… and the Pharisees of the New Testament. It’s the boat being launched into an eternal lake of fiery torment forevermore.
Paul (formerly known as Saul) was grossly misguided in his understanding, but when corrected by the resurrected Christ… he willingly received it!
Therefore, the scales of deception fell from Paul’s eyes and he subsequently devoted his entire life to advancing the kingdom, to the proliferation and vitality of the Church, and to the ministry of the Gospel for the glory of Christ.
Correction is absolutely essential for everyone, especially Christians. King Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”
That’s not the same as having asked Jesus into your heart or having prayed a prayer of salvation.
The alternative is to hear Him say, “I never knew you. Away from Me you workers of lawlessness!”
When God’s Word reveals something that doesn’t line up with our philosophy of religion, our view of God, Christ, Church, or ministry… those things don’t need revision… our portrait does. We can’t just ignore the truth without dire and eternal consequences. We cannot despise His correction and still truly be Christ’s faithful followers.
The truth is, whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
The question is, which one describes you?
Blessings,
-pK
https://www.unstoppablekidsbook.com/
