O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

LIFE-GIVING REPROOF

Interpersonal relationships are messy. Even relationships between Christians can be messy too. This happens because the church of Jesus Christ will have saints who sin against one other. Messy relationships are a fact of life on this side of heaven.

In the Book of Proverbs, which is one of the wisdom books of the Bible, we see many instructions for such messy relationships. In the Holy Bible, the word of GOD, the Holy Spirit has inspired human authors to explain these facts of life from observations. These explanations are given from the Creator’s perspective. It is also in these words from GOD that we have the instructions on how to move forward.

For this weekly article, we will look at one of these insights and the instructions that follow it.

Receiving Rebuke and Instruction

“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” (Proverbs 15:32)

This verse is about someone receiving reproof. There is a better English translation of the Hebrew word for ‘reproof.’ This other word can help us see our real response to this verse in the Holy Scripture. It is the word ‘rebuke.’

There is nothing messier in a relationship than to be rebuked or to rebuke someone. Most of us, if not all of us, would love to avoid rebuking someone or to be rebuked by someone. The giving or receiving of rebuke is just too painful and costly. Yet the Bible addresses this subject.

The word of GOD clearly teaches in this verse that we are not to refuse receiving rebuke and the instructions that usually follow it. If we reject these instructions and rebuke, we are told that we despise our souls. The message here is that we are sinners and if we really care about what and who we are before the face of GOD at the very core of our being, we should not refuse the instructions that comes from rebuke.

More than not rejecting instructions and rebuke is the assurance that when we humble ourselves to accept them, we will get understanding. The understanding here is not limited to gaining knowledge. The idea of understanding in wisdom literature is about moving away from foolishness and becoming wise in the sight of GOD so that our daily living is pleasing to Him.

Thus, our attitudes and behaviour in response to instructions and rebuke will determine our ability to move away from foolishness and sin and move toward godliness and living in the fear of GOD. Where does the Bible say this? It is found in the verse which comes right after Proverbs 15:32 -

“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; And before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15:33)

We can never move away from foolishness and become biblically wise out of the fear of GOD when we reject instructions and rebuke. And such a godly posture of the heart is only possible when a person is humble. It is very humbling to give and receive rebuke. Neither party should be proud when giving or receiving biblical instruction and rebuke. The person who pretends to be humble when he is rebuked is a hypocrite, and the person who pretends to be humble when he is rebuking others will cause more harm and injury.

May these two verses, and especially the explanations of the benefits of instructions and rebuke, encourage us to humble ourselves to receive and give instruction and rebuke. This leads to the next point. We need to know what biblical instructions and rebuke are, and what they are not.

What are Biblical Instructions and Rebuke?

According to James 4:12, there is only one judge and one lawgiver, and it is neither me nor you. This mean that GOD is the only source of instructions and rebuke. These are to be based on the instructions from GOD. A biblical rebuke comes from the instructions of the only lawgiver and judge.

Biblical instructions and rebuke are not about what I like or dislike or what I think should be. They are not about what we grew up with nor how we did things. It is so easy for us to think that we are doing GOD’s will when we are acting according to our desires. As sinful creatures growing in sanctification to become saints, it is always good to check ourselves and ask, “Where in the Bible are these instructions found?” Let us learn to measure ourselves against GOD’s instructions. Let us know GOD and His Word like the back of our hands so that we will find them and apply them in every aspect of daily living.

For example, what is it that makes me so angry and upset that I want to rebuke someone? We are often very quick to say that it is a righteous anger. But the word of GOD in James warns us, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

I think it would be fair to say that we may rebuke someone wrongly when we do not tell it to them in person. We may think that by telling another person (which is gossip and slander) we are correcting a wrong. We talk about one another but do not talk to one another. And when we do talk to one another, we flatter and are often careless and hasty with our words. These do not count as instructions and rebuke from GOD. In fact, we are told not to meddle with (better described as staying away from) such people! And this would also mean that we do not be such kind of people.

“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” (Proverbs 20:19)

“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: Him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” (Psalm 101:5)

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” (Proverbs 14:29)

The man who is condemned by GOD in the above verses is clearly someone we should avoid. If I am such a person, I should consider seriously and carefully about my personal sanctification. Rebuke is for our personal sanctification, and when someone lovingly rebukes us, we must give that person our attention. Let us learn how to humble ourselves to listen to such a loving person. They may be our spouse, in-law, children, the preacher in the pulpit whom we dislike, friends, colleagues … and the list goes on. Just keep in mind that as our GOD is creative, He can use anyone to give us His instructions and rebuke.

According to 1 Corinthians 13:6, love rejoices in the truth. This means that we should humble ourselves and learn to rejoice in the LORD when someone bothers to take the risk in our relationship to give us instructions and rebuke. If we rebuke one another in love, we will not tell lies nor propagate error and inaccuracies, and neither will we be troubled by them.

Conclusion

“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.” (Proverbs 15:31) Here we are told that such rebuke or reproof is life-giving! They are the rebuke of life.

This is because the word of GOD has the power to give life. GOD spoke and created everything, and when His word is spoken into the hearts and mind of the spiritually dead, they become alive in Christ!

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4–6)

We are not spiritually dead but are spiritually alive. Thus, we can humble ourselves towards one another in the LORD. In Christ, we can receive and give biblical instructions and rebuke to one another. Most importantly, we can do all these to the glory of GOD.

– Joel Seah

Appointments for the Week

Tuesday, May 30

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Rev Charles Seet)

Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, Jun 2

                           Vacation Bible School

Saturday, Jun 3

        3.00 pm     LTF / YAF

Sunday, Jun 4

        8.00 am     What It is to Be a Christian? Acts 11:1-30 (Eld Ng Beng Kiong) 

        8.00 am     Choir Practice

        9.15 am     Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am What It is to Be a Christian? Acts 11:1-30 (Eld Ng Beng Kiong, with Holy Communion)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

  4.00 pm Camp Briefing (via Zoom)

Announcements

Church Camp 2023 13-16 June 2023

Church camp briefing will be held on 4 June 2023 (Sunday) at 4pm over Zoom. Those attending the camp should attend. Details on Zoom login will be disseminated via emails.

Camper groupings will be displayed outside the sanctuary on 4 June and 11 June. Love gifts to defray the cost of the camp is welcome.

Bible Land Tour from Dan to Beersheba, Israel.

Date: 22 Feb to 03 Mar 2024.

$4850.00 per pax before fuel surcharge. Please register early @ https://www.lifebpc.com/israeltour  

Registration deadline: 31 May 2023 or when all seats are filled. Priority given to Lifers. For enquiries, contact Rev Quek 

Door to Door Evangelism

4 Jun 2023 (Next Sunday) Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30 pm Contact: Desmond or Amos 

Birth

Congratulations to Dn & Mrs T Lee  on the birth of a baby boy, J Lee Yi, on 23 May 2023.

Traffic Wardens

Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday. Kindly contact Bro Yeo HS if you are available.

Thanksgiving

Brothers Victor and Vincent and families would like to thank the Session, Pastors, church brethren for their condolences, words/acts of comfort and encouragement, presence and love gifts at the wake; on the recent home-going of their late father Loh PK. Most of all, thank our Almighty God for His mercy and grace in sustaining us.

Catechism Class for Anniversary Baptism on 15 October 2023 will commence on 9 July 2023.

Please pre-register by emailing to Church Office . Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the catechism class. Closing date: 2 July 2023.

ERBL Evening Lectures July-November 2023

1)       Old Testament Poetic Books by Rev Charles Seet (Monday @ 7.30 pm)

2)       The Theology of Prayer by Pastor Tan Soon Yong (Thursday @ 7.30 pm)

It will be conducted on-site at No. 10 Gilstead Road. It is compulsory for all Credit Students to attend lectures on-site and Audit Students can either attend lectures via Zoom platform or on-site. Interested parties can register for the courses online at https://lifebpc.com/erbl/index.php/registration-tt  

Emmanuel Reformed Bible College is offering the following courses from July-November 2023 at No. 1 Tao Ching Road.

1) Introduction to the New Testament by Rev Ho Chee Lai (Monday @ 10 am)

2) Anthropology & Soteriology by Rev Isaac Ong (Tuesday @ 10 am)

3) Marriage & Family Counselling by Rev Gabriel Gan (Wednesday @ 10 am)

4) Kingdom of Cults by Rev Lee Hock Chin (Wednesday @ 1.30 pm)

5) Homiletic by Rev Isaac Ong (Thursday @ 10 am)

6) Principles and Method of Teaching by Ms June Tan (Friday @ 10 am)

7) Lessons from the Life of the Reformers by Rev Lee Hock Chin (Friday @ 1.30 pm)

For registration and details of the courses, please refer to our website: www.erbc.sg.

The Life BPC Men’s Ministry would like to invite all our Christian brothers to join us for fortnightly Bible study starting from 14/15 July 2023. For more details please contact brother Ignatius.

Gospel Sunday 30 July 2023 “God has a message for you” by Pastor Wei En Yi.

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