“An Apple Beside The Rod”

I want to start off with a quote from Martin Luther who was a famous Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation. “Keep an apple beside the rod to give the child when he does well.” Today’s blog is to express to leaders the importance of ENCOURAGEMENT and CORRECTION. Of course Christian discipline is needed to enable us to grow in reverence for God. But even discipline has to be presented in love. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”. Its seems that the church has the rebuke part but fails to embrace the encouraging part. I am not talking about all churches or even all Christian. But if you spend more time rebuking and correcting then you do encouraging then I am definitely talking to you. When Jesus came, he came preaching love. In Matthew 22 one expert of the law came to Jesus and asked him what is the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus replied: " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus is saying the two greatest Commandments is love God and love people. As Christian we are quick to love God but slow to love people. It’s important that even in times of correction that we show love. As I stumbled across Martin Luther’s quote my mind went straight to the church. For far too long we have disciplined and not lifted people spirits. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t mind you stepping on my toes, but a true leader will step on your toes and not mess up your shoes. Titus 2:15 says “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority”. Leaders who constantly rebuke people are abusing there authority, and are probably lacking confidence in themselves. Sometimes rebuke isn’t the help that some people need. You will be surprised at how many people will change there ways if you showed them love and kindness. Let’s remember God loved us even when we were in our mess. Paul said at the end of Romans 2:4 “The goodness of God leads you to repentance”. If Gods uses love as a tool to lead man to repentance, why do we use rebuke? Its time for the church to re-evaluate what tools we are using to bring people to repentance. Lets stop using the rod more then we are using the apple, because the apple will probably be more effective.


Thanks For checking out the Wattsfactory Blog