TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JUNE 8, 2015.
CORRECTING
Something given, done, or proposed as a substitute for what is wrong or inaccurate; to set right with remedies, revisions, or reforms.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do. Colossians 3:12-13.
A few nights ago we were watching a Christian program on television. The pastor told a story of an experience he had leading a tour of his friends to see missions in action in Kenya. We listened carefully because as the old saying goes, “We have been there and done it”.
The pastor related that at the end of the conference which was held just outside of Nairobi, the group packed up in the guest house were they had stayed for three nights and headed for a location near the Nairobi airport where they were leaving from early the next morning.
When the group arrived at their location next to the airport, one person in the group reported that she had forgotten her luggage back at the conference center. After she left to retrieve her luggage, the pastor who was always meticulous about every detail, showed he was human and criticized her sharply.
Our thinking at this point of the story was that we as believers need to know how to correct gently. The verses we put above gives us a good guideline on CORRECTING!
But there is more to this story. The next morning when the group arrived at the airport, the pastor discovered at his dismay that he too had left his luggage behind. It and his passport were back at the location that they had just left. Because of the shortness of time it was quite costly for someone to race back at get his suitcase.
The pastor soon realized that he had criticized one of the ladies quite harshly and took the time to apologize to the whole group. His last words to the group were, “I have learned my lesson and will never criticize so harshly again.
We all have faults and weaknesses and we should learn to bear with one another and forgive each other when things go wrong. We need to be constructive in our criticism and criticize with compassion, love, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These are the keys to effective relationships and when we criticize in this manner we become imitators of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 23:1.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Dear God, You know that there are times when we just do not feel patient and humble and gentle. Help me in those times to be reminded of Your kindness, patience and love for and with me. When I am tempted to complain about others bring to my remembrance how much You have forgiven me and help me do what You would have me do.
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