I been reading Thomas C. Oden's Pastoral Theology, Chapter The Work of the Holy Spirit in Comfort, Admonition, and Discipline.
Here is the quote: "When sin is reduced to social determination, when
history is viewed as having an inevitable trend upwards, and when
uncritical tolerance is the centerpiece of all human values, do not
expect the gift of admonition to be happily received or nurtured."
We who are, called to proclaim the message of salvation, preach on the
nature of sin, advise on the ethics of leadership, counsel those who are
broken in spirit, and speak on the morality of thoughts, words, and
deed; must begin to hold each minister accountable if we are going to be
taken serious as ministers of the gospel.
Those who are confronted through ministerial admonishing will either
receive it and seek the grace of God to change their ways or will rage
against the truth of real redemption only to die by prideful arrogance.
I call on the church to stand up and begin to admonish the destructive
ideas that destroys faith and salvation in the lives of our youth.
What are your thoughts?
Those who are confronted through ministerial admonishing will either receive it and seek the grace of God to change their ways or will rage against the truth of real redemption only to die by prideful arrogance. I call on the church to stand up and begin to admonish the destructive ideas that destroys faith and salvation in the lives of our youth.
What are your thoughts?
2 comments:
I believe that a lot of leaders in the church today tend to softly raise issues for fear that their followers will do the latter and rage against truth. Some will not even raise the hard issues at all. Admonishing is a necessity and seems to be almost non existant in the church today. What can we do to change this? The popular message isn't always the best one.
You are correct that admonishing is not practiced in the church today. Second it is true that the popular message isn't always the message that the people want to hear. I believe the answer to this problem is found in Revelation 3:14-22, 14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The point is that as ministers and believers we will be held accountable for that which we did not say or do to correct the sins of those within the church. So it is important to speak in love to those who fail to live according to the word of God through Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Great questions and reflection within your thinking and comment.
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