Jeremiah Chapter 31: Verses 18-20 (NLT)
I have heard Israel saying, ‘You disciplined me severely, like a calf that needs training for the yoke. Turn me again to you and restore me for you alone are the Lord my God. I turned away from God but then I was sorry. I kicked myself for my stupidity. I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’
“Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the Lord. “I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3: Verses 14-15 (NLT)
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
How do we respond to correction?
When we’ve done something wrong, it’s right that either we are corrected, or that we put right what we know we’ve done wrong, and most importantly, that we make every effort not to do the same thing again. And if we have hurt anyone by our actions, we must offer a heartfelt and sincere apology. When we have really messed things up, does that mean God no longer loves us? Of course not. We can see how God reacted to Israel’s behaviour towards Him in these verses from Jeremiah. And He hasn’t changed. That’s why Jesus came. When we have asked for, and then received God’s forgiveness, He then makes a choice to forget what we have done – and so must we!
But then we must do the same for others who have done wrong, even those who have done wrong to us. They may have consequences to face for their actions, just as we have to face the consequences of ours. But if they put things right and ask for our forgiveness, then as followers of Jesus, we must give it freely.
Paul asked the Thessalonians to show grace to those who needed correction, even if they had to face a time away from fellowship, they had to be treated as a sibling, and welcomed back into the fold if they had repented. That’s much harder to do where someone has hurt us, but we just need to remember how many times God has forgiven us. He’s not keeping score either, so neither must we!
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful always for Your forgiveness and mercy, and realise I’m not as good as dispensing it to others as I am at receiving it from You. Help me never to withhold forgiveness from anyone who asks for it, and never to hold a grudge. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.