NOT A JOB FOR JUST ANYBODY -- Devotional for April 17, from "Good Seeds"

Concerning you, my brethren, I am convinced that you are full of goodness and knowledge, enabling you to admonish one another. (Romans 15:14)

If there’s anything we resent, whether from friend or foe, it is unasked-for advice. Though we tend to discount its content, the fact that we received it at all is not so easily ignored, as it so often leaves us with sour feelings. The unwelcome words may be correct, and would probably be very helpful if heeded, but bitter resistance just get in the way. Instead of hearing the wise counsel of this bossy fellow, we’re listening to the whiny counsel of our bleeding heart: “Where does he come off telling me where I’m mistaken? Is he so perfect? Why can’t people just mind their own business and leave me alone?” But wait! Are we really that satisfied with our current level of maturity? Are we really that convinced we’re okay just the way we are, and don’t need any improvement? Growth and learning are signs of life. Without them we are dead, even while we live. We must realize that although God accepts us just the way we are, He loves us too much to leave us that way. And so, we must learn to discern the voice of God speaking through other voices around us. He is speaking, but are we listening? We must be so in tune with God that when He talks to us through others, we recognize His voice. Let’s not miss what He has to say. Peter wrote, “Our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him. Although some of his words are hard to understand, don’t listen to the ignorant and unstable men who twist them to mean something quite different” (II Peter 3:15-16). We, too, must be careful not to misinterpret the words of advice we hear from others. They might even mean them for evil, but God can fulfill His perfect plan for us through them (see Genesis 50:20). Even Paul’s enemies recognized the truth in, and the source of, his preaching: “If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God”(Acts 23:9). If we are tempted to say to ourselves, in contempt of the unwelcome advice we hear, “Just consider the source,” that’s good, but then let’s be sure to get past the human source and look for the heavenly. When inviting Christians to admonish one another, Paul gives two warnings: 1) Have a firm grasp of the facts: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). We must have the iron of truth in us in order to bring truth to another. And, 2) Be in the firm grasp of God (in His goodness). The human variety won’t do, godlikeness is required. Colossians 6:1 says, “If a man is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Admonishment – it’s not a job for just anybody.