This article is part one of a two part series on the topic of correction and guilt. This article will deal with the fruit of correction for Christians. Part two will focus on helping our children mature with effective correction.
In a world where personal accountability seems to be a bad thing, we observe all manner of people attempting to run away from past actions. This is especially true if they perceive that, because of those actions, there is the potential for negative consequences. The word of God has some perspective on this very subject:
“The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.”
Pr 20:30
Correction and punishment cleanse the inside of man just the same as they drive away evil. At times, we may think we are able to escape consequences for some evil, but we are actually storing up guilt and sickness inside. It is not unheard of for some criminal to turn themselves in to the authorities years after committing a crime. Perhaps we don’t commit a crime against the law, but we may be guilty of some action which we know will not be approved of by God. We don’t want people to know what we are guilty of doing, so we go about covering up the act. We may even go so far as to avoid being in the presence of other people who would disapprove. People who commit wrong, whether they know it at the time or find out later, will feel the burden of guilt. This is not something from which we can escape, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves everything is fine.
The most common form of correction, though not physical, can be just as painful as literal stripes from a rod. Proverbs 6:23 says, “reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Oftentimes correction comes in the form of words from God or even other people. As Christians we ought not to shy away from correction in general because reproof is “the way of life.” That is, life is found in, and given by, the correction that accompanies instruction. None of us need search very far to find much needed reproof inside God’s word (I Ti 3:16). All of us need correction from time to time at work, at home, or even in the church (II Co 7:9; Ga 2:11; II Ti 4:2; Ti 2:15). The difference between a mature Christian and an unrepentant sinner is the ability to both recognize the need for correction and then accept correction. Both the ability to recognize the need for correction and the willingness to be taught are valuable skills for any successful person—spiritually or physically. The earlier we learn this lesson, the easier it will be to submit ourselves to God.
When past actions burden us, the only way to be able to move on is to accept correction. We accept correction when we both receive it and act on it. The ultimate consequence of accepting correction is true happiness. If we harbor the burden of guild it is impossible to be both truly satisfied and content inside. Finally, once corrected, we need to have the assurance of forgiveness. As Christians, we can trust in the blessed assurance of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness (I Jn 1:9). On Judgment Day, God will not recite every sin we ever committed in life. Instead, he will simply say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Our need for correction from God is built upon our trust in him. Likewise, when we offer correction to another Christian, they must be able to depend on our faithfulness. If we are faithful in every sense of the word, true forgiveness will go without saying.
Let us not run from correction, but seek and accept correction. Correction will free our heart from the burden of guilt because we have accepted the consequences. Furthermore, true happiness and freedom comes through the assurance of God’s forgiveness. Together, correction and forgiveness will cleanse our aching insides better than any physical medicine.