Anthony Chen (MAC) was my church’s youth director when I went to high school in the Twin Cities. He was a fundamentalist Christian, having graduated from... (sigh)... Bob Jones University. Despite our theological differences, MAC was an amazing and Godly fellow, and was my earliest spiritual mentor. He also had an interesting distinction and reputation for rebuking people when necessary. I remember the first time he rebuked me. It did not feel good, and I spent a few weeks staying quiet and not liking him. Then, at our church’s summer retreat, he pulled me aside and said, “Henry, I love you, man. What I said was for your good.” He was right... (as usual...
Paul was no slouch of a rebuker as well. The Catholics today are not allowed to criticize the Pope, but in Galatians Paul went up to Peter (the first Pope) and opposed him “to his face” in front of everyone present! Another well-known rebuker in Church history was St. John Chrysostom, who was the archbishop of Constantinople. He had a reputation for exposing people for specific sins during his sermons. How would you like to attend his church regularly? Unfortunately, one of those people receiving a rebuke was the Emperor, who subsequently removed him from the archbisphoric and exiled him. But we all know him, because his moniker “Chrysostom” means “golden-mouthed”.
Paul had earlier rebuked the Corinthians, but their response was to shut Paul out. “Oh, what does he know? He’s not from these parts,” might be their rationale. Thus, Paul responded with how he’s not trying to be difficult. Instead, he was laying himself out, going through hardship after hardship, so that they could only magnify the glory and goodness of God. He only meant well for the Corinthians. Thus, in vs. 11-13, Paul asks the Corinthians not to shut him out, but to listen to him. He did not mean them harm by rebuking them.
Oftentimes, when we are rebuked, the first response we give is to shut the rebuker out of our lives. “Oh, what does he/she know?” we deride. But we should think differently about it. True friends find no problem rebuking their friends, not because they have nothing better to do, but because they mean well for them. So when others rebuke us, let us not shut them out, but listen.
Quick note: by rebuking I don’t mean indiscriminate yelling. The purpose of rebuking is to correct the person and bring him/her closer to Christ. Good rebuking requires a good mix of gentleness, firmness, and always needs the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remember our youth group theme for this year? United in Christ (wink, wink)? Tearing down dividing walls to worship sometimes hurts. But in the end, we all draw closer together as we worship God as one body. Maybe someone is impeding others from worship, and needs a rebuke. Or maybe YOU are impeding others from worship, and need a rebuke. Reflect on this, and pray that God may rebuke you through one another, so you can not only know who your true friends are, but that you may draw closer to Him.
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