1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Yesterday I offered up an opinion on correction that tried to make the focus on behavior first. When correction needs to be made, how that correction is offered will have a great deal of influence on relationships. I open with this verse today to point out comfort in togetherness. One who needs correction is still a member of the body of Christ and the soothing balm of healing needs to be applied rather than cutting with the sharp knife.

Leave room for the Lord to work in your conversations. Do not wield the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) at your members, you will end up cutting yourself. Leave the Sword of the Spirit to battle the enemy, as it is meant to do His will.

If you truly know the Word of God, seek passages that will edify and bring comfort to both you and the one who needs correction. Grace is the balm that sooths the soul, for both of you, together. The bond of peace in fellowship is more important that minor differences between members.

If the error comes from leadership, it is not the place of the children to correct that error. The eldership will address any important errors which lead to division within the body. The object must always be in creating closer bonds in fellowship.

The Lord has given us many examples of how to deal with one another in the scriptures. Applying those lessons as soothing balms of grace allows the Holy Spirit to work where contentions only make divisions greater.

This is a lesson for all of us, the young in Christ and the more mature. We should all learn from grace in action.

John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Imaginations and high things are often very strong issues within the mind of one who gains knowledge for knowledge’s sake. What makes the difference in knowledge of God and knowledge of bible passages are the fruits shown in obedience of faith. Being obedient to Christ has to be more than being able to talk a good game.

How do you respond to correction? When offering up any theological point that is met with correction, how do you receive correction? Are you intent on being right? That is a reaction of pride and there is no humility in it. Everyone is subject to the possibility of error. Only God is good, right and true. We are all chasing after a righteousness that is not ours.

Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Humility in response to offered correction is the fruit of the spirit born in obedience of faith.