Counter Culture: Warn One Another — Friday
Hebrews 3:14
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. (NLT)
Being on the receiving end of correction is painful. I led a group of middle school students at camp this summer, and there were multiple times when I had to pull one of my girls aside and ask them to change their behavior or attitude. Most of the time, I was met with frustration, denial, and whining. This is behavior any one of us would fully expect from middle school girls, especially ones who have been stuck outside in the blistering heat all day without their phones. But I’ve found in my own life that I can often receive correction in a similar way. When hard truth has been spoken into my life by a friend, family member, or mentor, there have been multiple times when I have felt frustrated and attempted to justify my behavior. “Well, they deserved it because…” “I don’t see what the big deal is.” I’m sure we’ve all said these things at least once, if not more. Our human nature deceives us into thinking that we are infallible—when we’re faced with our sin and our shortcomings, we can “glitch out” (a fun Gen-Z term that basically means “freak out”) and refuse to receive correction.
The Lord is gracious and continues to love us deeply in the midst of our denial, frustration, and whining. Receiving correction with humility is something that only He can help us do. Not only does He refine us through it, but He also allows us to experience His glory and mercy through the very act of submission to His authority and truth. As we grow in Him, we will continue to be challenged and called higher. Correction isn’t fun—it’s hard and painful—but it allows us an opportunity to draw closer to Him. We can only change through Jesus. Any striving or attempts on our own strength will fall flat. We can surrender and submit to Him as others speak truth into our lives.
Friday’s Reflection
Ask God to help you respond with humility when a friend approaches you with hard truth.