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Careful Correction

Careful Correction

Words of Faith 3-11-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Thessalonians 2

    [10] You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. [11] For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, [12] encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

 

        Paul wrote on behalf of his entire team concerning the accusations that had been made about them.  He called on the Thessalonian believers and God to bear witness to their behavior in both action and motive.  Paul was confident that their inner convictions had led to nothing less than devout and holy conduct. 

       Concerning God's objective standard their behavior was righteous, equitable and just, measuring up to what God expects and requires. Their conduct was blameless, entirely above reproach or accusation.  The team was not being prideful.  They merely knew the truth of their conduct, and they were able to stand their critics' scrutiny.

        Paul had just likened the conduct of the missionaries to the loving, unselfish care of a nursing mother (2:7).  Now he compared their behavior to that of a loving father. He reminded them of the way that they had trained and instructed the Thessalonians as a responsible father guides his children.

        The word tekna, translated children, emphasizes the believers' immaturity as well as the apostles' affection.  This was not an insult; it merely expressed the reality of newness of their walk with God. He viewed them as daughters and sons.

       Paul described the training that they had shared with these sons and daughters in Christ using three elements-- encouraging, comforting and urging.  Each is different.

       Encouraging is the Greek word parakalountes often translated "exhort.”  It is a beautiful and broad word meaning to invite, invoke, beseech, call for, entreat or comfort.  The image is to call or invite one to come alongside and be guided.  It is a firm but gentle term that speaks of positive appeals and encouragement.  

       We might think of this as "coaching" in the most positive sense of the term.  It captures a beautiful image of a loving father or friend who throws an arm around the shoulder to guide and encourage.  It is the image of pointing out a correction that is gladly received and applied by someone with a teachable spirit.

        The word for comforting is paramythoumenoi and indicates a soothing encouragement. This type of encouragement implies a need to "cheer up" and to inspire while moving a person to correction. This is not speaking about consoling someone in a time of loss or injury. It speaks to situations where sin has caused great loss or pain.  It is a relational word coming from a root meaning to "relate near.”  Today we might say "connect with.” 

       This word means consolation but still infers correction.  This is the image of a father who listens carefully and seeks to lift the spirits of a child who has made a mistake, but not forgetting at some point to help them find the point of error and make the needed correction. We are often tempted in Christian care to sympathize with the misery of a person broken by sin, but then fail to point out the truth of the situation and the need for correction in order to find life.

        The final word that Paul used in this image of fatherly discipline is translated "urge," but the picture is really much stronger.  The word mastigoo literally means to flog or scourge, but of course, it is used figuratively here.  Clearly, Paul was not reminding them of some sort of corporal punishment. 

         Paul was calling the Thessalonians to remember that in some instances the apostles had to strongly rebuke believers and spur them to correction in their lives. Confrontation is difficult.  Intervention is never comfortable.  But sometimes we must intervene with words that sharp and direct. 

         All three of these elements are powerful when we consider the awesome responsibility of shaping disciples and guiding children.  There is a need for careful guidance side by side along the path of living.  There are times of brokenness when we will weep with those who are shattered by sin as we "relate near" and connect with them, never forgetting the need to guide. 

         The most difficult loving guidance is the rebuke or confrontation that stings like a lashing.  When there is no other way, this strong "spurring" of a believer to make correction is the last effort to help one claim the way of life and freedom.

          As we grow with God, He will bring across our path those He is growing up in the Lord.  He will call us to come alongside and help shape those who are new to the faith.  Paul shows us the combination of appeals that Holy Spirit uses to bring about conviction and transformation. 

 

        Father God help me to walk in a way that is holy, righteous and blameless before You.  Grow me up in You and show me those that You are wanting me to help in their walk with God.  Teach me the careful discipline of the Spirit to encourage, comfort and urge a careful walk with God.  In Jesus' name.