“Don’t Judge!” is a phrase we hear a lot lately. I do think there is a time when we shouldn’t judge and this is towards non believers. All we can do is pray for them and let God’s light shine through us. We need to be loving towards them.
Let’s take a look at the word rebuke. It means according to dictionary.com, is to express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions. In this verse, is saying that if we see our brothers and sisters in Christ sinning, we need to rebuke them. We as believers need not to be offended when a brother/sister in Christ comes to us about sin in our lives that they are seeing. We should be praying at all times, so our hearts are prepared for what God wants to change in our lives. He will use other believers to bring things to our hearts attention. Not it’s not easy to be called out on our sin, however, we need to be. When we do go to rebuke we need to be in prayer prior to it.
Also, follow the Matthew 18:15-20 guidelines. If this is not followed then it is a shaming, judging, and condemnation. This is not what God intends to happen with a rebuke. Whether, we intend for that or not, when we go outside God’s ways, nothing good comes out of it. His ways are always the best.
Pay attention to ourselves!!!! Jesus wants us to maintain our attitude in being forgiving. He wants us to help, love, and care for those who offends us. Instead of having an attitude of revenge or hatred. Our attitude to forgive should not depend on the other person’s attitude. We should have a heart to forgive and have reconciliation if possible. This cannot happen if the person is unwilling to acknowledge their wrong doing and sincerely repent. Now, Jesus is not saying we have to trust someone who continually wrongs us or others.
If a person truly repents, we must forgive them. Jesus is not saying to stay in a relationship that is abusive – physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. Jesus is saying that we need to have an attitude of being willing to forgive and to help others.
Do you pay attention to yourself?
Do you search your heart for forgiveness?
Can you be so in tuned with the Holy Spirit that you won’t be offended by rebuke by another Christian?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for you heart to forgive us. Thank you for sending other christian to us to help keep us accountable to our walk with you. God I pray that we have a heart to forgive and to be honest with ourselves. God give us a desire to be holy for you. To pay attention to ourselves, to know when to forgive and when to rebuke.
In Jesus Name
Amen
