Nothing reveals our pride or humbleness before God like how we react to correction. No one likes to be corrected. Our prideful flesh is easily offended and screams, "Who do you think you are judging me?".We defend ourselves and make excuses. We want to "kill the messenger." Yet God reminds us in Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Receiving correction humbly admitting our faults and repenting opens the door for God who "gives grace to the humble." God's loving discipline is a way of life according to Proverbs, that when recieved humbly and honestly causes us to be "conformed into the image of Christ Jesus."
Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. Paul likwise understood this motivation to do hard things when he corrected the Corinthians, " Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance, For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: what diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter." Iron sharpens iron, a true friend speaks the truth in love because he desires the best for him.
Just as God instructs parents to being up thier children in the admonition and nurture of the Lord, so He brings up HIs children with "admonition and nurture." He is all love, giving the ultimate sacrifice of laying His life down for His friends. He also is all just, because what a man sows he will reap. The Lord has the perfect balance of grace and mercy "which has kissed" truth and righteousness producing genuine transformation and greater desire to love and serve such a great God. Hebrews 12 compares human discipline which a father does to a son because he loves him, to that of the Father of spirits which produces life. "He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness".
O man, what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" says the prophet Micah. The measure of walking humbly with God is demonstrated by how we let His Word, and truth spoken by another, correct our thoughts and actions. The Spirit of God is a perfect teacher, always speaks the truth, and convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The question is how good are we at listening, obeying, and responding in humble admission when we are wrong.
Repentance, the turning away from living just to please our flesh, is a process whenever God or a vessel chosen by God to use in the situation confronts us with what is right. The difference between the many being called and the few that are chosen is the willingness to receive correction and respond rightly. Therefore, grow up, receive correction, repent and receive His forgiveness so you can enjoy the life and peace God provided for His chosen.
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