Creating a Secure CHURCH
PART 4 : When Things Go Wrong
Chapter 13 : Secure in Correction – Theory
13.7 Styles of Correction
Having thought about the nature of ‘wrong’ activities, we then have to consider how we go about correction in some more detail. When many of us think about correction we have a very negative view of it. Words like ‘heavy shepherding’ stir up horror stories of couples who had to consult their shepherd before choosing the wallpaper for their front room, or individuals who were not allowed to marry, by the domineering leader. When it comes to correction many of us seem to have tunnel vision. We can only see correction coming in one way, direct confrontation involving discipline, possibly resulting in the exclusion of an unrepentant sinner.
Models of Correction from the Bible
Why do we have this tunnel vision in respect of correction? Because we use the most common Old Testament prophet model, that of a denouncing orator! We see in the Old Testament the picture of God coming to bring a word of correction through his prophet who, in our mind’s eye, stands on a rocky outcrop and denounces failure. Like Jonah we deliver the word of rebuke and watch for fire to fall. But is that actually the full picture? Have we an accurate perception of correction or is there something more involved? Very often that does seem to be the way the thing was but when we look more closely we find something very different.
1. Jonah
Jonah, despite being someone who heard God (1:1), had some funny ideas about God. First of all he thought he could run away from God (1:3). He knew God as Almighty Creator (1:9) and he was sure that his sin had brought divine retribution (1:12). In desperation he was a praying man (2:1-9) and had some idea of the concept of God being a God of salvation (2:9). When eventually he was repentant and obedient and brought the word to Nineveh, the word had great effect and the entire city responded wonderfully! When God did not bring His judgment on them, this thoroughly upset Jonah (4:1). He professes to know that God is a gracious and compassionate God etc. (4:2) but is still upset. He doesn’t realise that grace is there for the repentant, so the Lord has to give him a simple object lesson (4:6-11). Jonah was upset about a plant, but God had been upset about a city full of people.
Jonah seems to have had the same spirit as James and John (Lk 9:54) when they wanted to call down destruction. The footnote there adds that some manuscripts include, “for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” which, although possibly being of questionable origin certainly is true to Jesus’ heart (see also Mt 9:12,13). When it comes to the need for correction, how many of us would much rather see justice meted out instead of mercy and grace? Yes death is deserved, but something more wonderful is available instead.
2. Ezekiel
Ezekiel was the prophet who had amazing visions of God, and visions of the glory of God. Through Ezekiel came such devastating denunciations of Jerusalem (e.g. Ch.16). Ezekiel was completely unsparing when it came to sin yet he was quite clear about the reality of God’s heart. We saw it earlier in the book but we need to hear it again here:
Ezek 18:32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live.
When God spoke such strong words of denunciation the purpose was to bring Israel to its senses so that they would not have to be punished, so that they would be saved. If God does bring discipline into our lives, as the Bible promises (Heb 12:4-12), it is to get us free from the things that would pull us down and destroy us. If I as a parent did not delight in inflicting painful, scriptural discipline to my children when they were young and rebellious, how much more do you think God doesn’t take delight in bringing discipline to us. I much prefer the days I’m now in when my children are mature and we talk and share together in full understanding.
3. David and Nathan (2 Sam 12)
David has sinned. It is clear and obvious: adultery and murder and abuse of power. Here surely is a case for a mighty denunciation, but it didn’t work like that. First of all remember that the Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14 / Acts 13:22 ). He’s a man who can badly get it wrong, yet he’s also a heart man who can be mightily moved by the hardness of others (2 Sam 3:39 ).
So when Nathan the prophet comes to David to correct him, notice that way he goes about it. He paints a parallel picture (12:1-4) and when David’s emotions rise against the injustice, Nathan is able to say, “You are the man!” (v.7). He then goes on to describe the sin and the discipline that is coming upon David and David simply acknowledges, “I have sinned against the Lord.” It is then that the word of grace comes: “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.” (v.13). The incredible thing here is that amazing as the multiple sin of David was, his repentance still opened the door for the love, grace and mercy of God to flow. David was saved, even though there was yet further sin to come in his life. Whenever sin was followed by true repentance, salvation followed. That was the picture clearly painted in the Old Testament.
4. Jesus
When we observe Jesus with people, we find a variety of responses in him to them. To the hard hearted Pharisees and priests of Jerusalem who would plot his death, he spoke strong words of truth. He knew there would not be a turning so, for the sake of the onlookers (and to perhaps even provoke their action to bring his death) he simply declared the truth about them.
For truth-seeking Nicodemus he gently chastened and provoked towards the truth. For the immoral but questioning Samaritan woman he led her into the place of confession. We’ve seen in an earlier chapter how Peter felt sufficiently secure to speak out in front of Jesus and we saw there how Jesus corrected him and showed a way ahead. Jesus did not have a set of rules to follow. Rather, according to the person before him and their attitude towards him and towards sin, he varied his approach to use the right method for the right person, and always, wherever it was possible, he sought the restoration of the individual.
Some Conclusions?
What can we conclude from what we’ve considered here?
- Correction comes by the word of God being applied.
- That word can be direct from God, through the Bible or through another person. Where it is through another person we walk on more difficult ground that is tainted by the views, experiences and aspirations of the people involved.
- When God comes with a word of rebuke or an act of discipline, it is to bring repentance and a freeing from the bad behaviour which, if left unchecked, may produce death.
- Correction therefore means looking for a good outcome when the word of correction is brought, not merely bringing a word of rebuke for bad behaviour.
- That good outcome means a change of life, return to a relationship with God whereby the love and blessing of God are able to flow again in that person’s life.
- To achieve that good outcome requires much thought and prayer, for the way we go about bringing it can have significant impact and perhaps even determine the outcome.
- The harder the heart the harder the word of rebuke. Where there is simply hurt and confusion in the sin, and the heart is open, the forthcoming word may be gentle and restoring.
