The Right Attitude To Correction

In a recent conversation with fellow believers, we spoke of how many are unable to take Godly correction.  I am not speaking of the type of soulish control that others may try to wield over you as so-called "correction", but that discipline which through conviction, the Holy Spirit confirms is from the Lord.

The following is a message from Pastor Zac Poonen on "The Right Attitude to Correction."  The wrong attitude can make the difference between those who are sons of God and those who are not.

• There was no good thing Jesus could say about the Church at Laodecia.  Yet Jesus says that He still loved them (Revelation 3:19).
• Rebuke & discipline from the Lord is a sign of His love so that we zealously repent.  It is the proof that we are not bastards, but one of His children (Hebrews 12:6-8).
• God gives you little warnings to save you from head on collisions (spiritually) later in life; do not be offended by them.
• The Lord is so interested in making us perfect that He is not happy with just 99.9%.
• You have to be very high-minded to tell God that He must correct you directly and not through any of His servants.
• The purpose of all discipline is that we may share in God's holiness.
• The principles of psychology do not belong in the Christian Church.  Psychology tells you that correction should be done in private.  Jesus was often public in His praise, but He was also often public in His correction.
• When you get a chance to serve the Lord, serve Him.  You may not get another chance.
• Both Peter and Judas failed, but Peter became a lead Apostle while Jesus said it had been better if Judas was never born.  The difference is that one could take correction and the other got offended.
• Receive correction with humility and brokenness, recognizing that these are the words of eternal life.
• Love for a person is the only way Godly correction can be given; never try to correct another in anger for such disqualifies you from being used.