The Counsel of Others

Written by: John Sernaque

Call to Worship

2 Corinthians 2: 4

2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Paul a Friend of the Erring—

The apostle Paul found it necessary to reprove wrong in the church, but he did not lose his self-control in reproving error. He anxiously explains the reason of his action. How carefully he wrought so as to leave the impression that he was a friend of the erring! He made them understand that it cost him pain to give them pain. He left the impression upon their minds that his interest was identified with theirs [2 Corinthians 2:4 quoted] (Letter 16a, 1895). {6BC 1094.1}

Sometimes, the truth is understood best in its most basic and simplest form. Christ Jesus says, As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19. We are not to ignore sin; we are to call sin by its rightful name. However, as Christ did, so must we. We are to love the sinner, but hate the sin. We are to correct the sinner with love and compassion. As with Paul, it will pain us to bring others pain, but how sweet it is when the sinner repents and gives their life to Jesus. All of the angels in heaven sing aloud for the one repentant sinner. Let not your heart be troubled while saving souls for God’s heavenly kingdom.

Dear God,

We come into Your presence as sinners, yet You love us just as we come. We thank You for the opportunity, and Your grace, that gives us the chance to confess and repent of our sins. To be justified by Your pardon. To be saved by the shedding of Your blood on our behalf. For You being made a surety of a better testament. We pray that with love and kindness, we can help lead the sinner to repentance, that they may be saved. Lead us and guide us while reproving wrong in the church. Let us shed tears of joy when the sinner repents and accepts Christ Jesus into their life. We thank You and love You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.