Praise the Lord all of my beloved Brothers and sisters in our FATHER and Savior Jesus Christ. This message is solely about me and it will explain how I handle an open rebuke for bringing honor upon myself and not honoring those that deserve honor. I was rebuke for plagiarism. As many of you that read my email that I sent on October 22, 2005 "My Mind Made Up" I wrote this message but I did not indicate statements made by Pastor May from his sermon "My Mind Made Up". I tout the entire message as my own which part of the message is his writing and part of the message my writing it still is a sin not giving credit where credit is due. Although I am a contributor of the same web site does not make it right. I believing in teaching the truth and receiving the truth. As for me I have no excuses but my heart is filled with sorrow if I deceive any of you for giving me honor. Please forgive me. I hope this message will enlighten you as the Holy Spirit has enlighten me and cause me to repent.
HOW DOES A MATURE CHRISTIAN HANDLE OPEN REBUKE!
1 John 1:9
By Clarence E. Weaver, Sr
As Christian especially those that are in leadership position, teachers, pastors, and other leaders in the Body of Christ that teach the people of God come to a dead end in the preparation their sermons and outlines although they hear for God but sometimes they samples (or steal other people ideals without giving credit for where the source came from) impress people and bring glory upon themselves rather than glorifying God. I am using this example because this is my sin for the email that sent to my beloved brothers and sisters. If you are rebuke for something how would you handle it!
I have listed six steps using each letter in the word rebuke on how a mature Christian should take to handle open rebuke. If someone open rebuke you these steps will help you grow up in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of Jesus Christ unto a perfect Christian.
STEP 1 Get Up If You Stumble (Repent)
The Scriptures declares: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 We need to quit justifying, qualifying, and explaining and sometime I say "just-a-lying" and agree with God that your sin is just that a sin. If you really agree with? God about that behavior, you won’t do it again. You will have turned your back on that sin or changed your mind, and repent. Then you will be free to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit in your life again. I admit I am much lighter today then I was on Saturday. I can thank my (MOM) for the open rebuke.
STEP 2 Realized That God Has Paid The Cost (Evaluate)
The Bible say in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (16) "All scripture is giving by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) "That the man of God may be furnished unto all good works."
God has already paid the cost for us to walk in his righteousness and anytime you do not accept correction for the Word of God you are denying the power of God to breath His righteousness into your life and keep you alive in the Holy Spirit. When you do not like to retain God in your knowledge God will turn you over to a reprobate mind to do those things which is convenient. Remember that the wages of sin is death!
STEP 3 Rebuke Builds Wisdom and Love (Benefits)
A Mature Christian does not walk around in embarrassment If they are open rebuke. They realized that the sin or sins that they have committed has separated them for God which has eternal consequences which out weigh their present shame?
The Scriptures declares: Open rebuke is better than secret love; Proverbs 27:5
Proverbs 9:8-9 states: (8) "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man and he will love thee (9) Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man and he will increase in learning."
It is that mature Christian that will get up if they stumble, and realized that God has paid the cost for them to walk in His righteousness. They will gain wisdom from their shortcomings and be restored in love.
STEP 4 God Is Not Unrighteous (Unity)
When request are made to God, prayer clears the mercy seat with God. He knows your heart and faith open the door to the throne of grace.
The Scriptures declares For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the labour of his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:9
Open rebuke will cause you to come before the mercy seat so that God Himself will reconcile you. Don’t let Satan cause anger to rise up within you because of your feelings or (Pride). That type of feeling only come from the prince of this world and not from the KING OF GLORY! Do not let anything separate you from the love of God.
STEP 5 Be Known for Your Integrity (Known)
The difference from a sinner man and a Christian is that the Christian is sinless. We will sin less as we come into the knowledge of the Word of God while we are Christian but we sin less than a sinner man because we have obtain salvation from death by the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because we have a God that loves us and care for us we need to stay connected to our loving Father.
Jesus said in John 15:4-5 : (4) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine: no more can ye; except ye abide in me (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The Scriptures declares: "Either make the tree good; and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." Matthew 12:33
Open rebuke help those that confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to repent and lead and depend of Him for everything. It also help other that may also be engage in sin to repent.
STEP 6 Humble Yourself Under God (Exalt)
Mature Christian must realized that nothing must be done through strife and lowliness of mind that we should esteem other better than ourselves. How will God Get the Glory in you are open rebuke? God Chasten all of those he love. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therfore repent" (Revelation 3:19)
We are not to give up if we get whipping from God. He want to see us grow to the level of his expectation. Just like we all have discipline our on children to live up to our expectation God treat us the same way. Does it hurt, yes but I am happy it’s over and living in the correction of God.
The Scriptures declare that we are to: "Humble yourself, therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." Hebrews 5:6
Conclusion:
Open rebuke is not always accepted for people in the body of Christ. It is use to restore each other in the righteousness of God because of the love he and his mercies that endures forever. If you are the one that must go to a brother or sister with open rebuke follow Paul’s example pray another example 2 Timothy 4:2 and Galatians 6:1-2
