A Maturing Christian ... Can Handle Criticism

    Here's a little follow up to yesterday's message on the way the Apostle Paul handled the hostility and criticism of the Corinthians. The bottom line on the message was that we are best able to handle critics when we are most secure in our relationship with Christ. When we are living totally for Jesus and His glory, we can be assured of God's commendation (1 Cor 4:5). There is incredible power in the life that is lived in "Self-forgetfulness."
    I mentioned and then quoted from a a booklet that Tim Keller wrote entitled, "The Freedom of Self-forgetfulness." Here is the LINK to Amazon for the booklet. A couple of people asked about it.
    There was one area that I skimmed that I thought I might bring to your attention for your added investigation, meditation and prayerful consideration. It has to do with listening for the nugget of God's truth in every criticism level against you. I quoted a college mentor, Elizabeth Jackson as having told me that I should look at every criticism and see if there isn't some seed of truth that I need to consider as being valid and something that God would want to address in my life.
      The Bible itself is full of admonitions and then examples that illustrate how important it is that we take advice and criticism to heart. Not to let it dictate our self-worth, but for criticism to help us in our journey to be all that God wants us to be. Proverbs is an incredible place to start for those pithy encouragements to adhere to advice and respond properly to criticism.

Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. (1:23)

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray (10:17)

There is sever discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. (15:10)

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home with the wise (15:31)

People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace (10:10)

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. (13:18)

To one who listens, valid criticism is like a goal earring or other gold jewelry. (25:12)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism fare more than flattery. (28:23)

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. (29:1)


Just do a word search for criticism or reproof. You'll find plenty of material to build a strong case for  taking the time to handle criticism God's way. The key, once again, is that we are so secure in our relationship with Christ that we are not destroyed by hostile criticism and can therefore use it for our growth and maturity in Christ-likeness. 

A HUGE REMINDER: The vision of the church is not that you simply attend church. The vision is that you will become a mature, reproducing follower of Jesus Christ.

I Dare You to Pray This

Francis Chan recorded this challenge that really connects with the series that we just finished at CrossPoint on "Consumption: Are you a Consumer or Conduit of God's Abundance?" Check this out!

In a post on the web site on which I found this video (churchleaders.com) there was one comment that I in one way agree with and in another way disagree with. The comment was a disagreement with Chan's desire to pray for only what he needed. The reality is that God's desire is to give in abundance - to give us much more than we need. Our issue is that when we receive that abundance, we all too often receive it as meeting our "need" and we end up consuming it as belonging to us.

What I did agree with was the commentator's alternative prayer: "Lord, all I have belongs to you, for you are my source. And I give back to you what I don't need to live daily, with the remainder applied to fulfill your assignment in my life. Show me who to share with, who to bless and who could use more for your purpose in their lives. All of my needs are supplied according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amen"

I just see it as a further development of Chan's prayer. Unless we pray (and meant it) Chan's prayer of simplicity and austerity, we all too often don't see the abundance that God pours into our lives with the expectation that it will overflow into Kingdom advancement and blessing for many others.