From time to time you’ll see a “CORRECTION” posted in various media. Someone got something wrong, and they need to announce the truth and correct the past. There’s actually a lesson there for all of us.
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In the media, it usually some fact-checker or editor that steps in and causes the correction to be posted. Who is it that can speak correction into YOUR life?
Being corrected can be a difficult thing. Yet it is necessary for real growth to occur.
None of us is able to be right all of the time. Nor does anyone possess great skill in every area. Solomon wrote of his need for “an abundance of counselors.” The wisest human who ever walked this planet recognized that he needed many counselors. THAT ought to tell you something!
By my count, Solomon wrote a minimum of THREE times in his Book of Proverbs about the wisdom of multiple counselors.
- Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.(11:14)
- Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed. (15:22)
- For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. (24:6)
There are several words that come to mind which describe a person who thinks they have no need of others to provide counsel and advice. None of them are complimentary.
That brings us to today’s verse, which tells us ACCEPT CORRECTION AND YOU WILL FIND LIFE.
The benefit of many counselors is in the diversity of viewpoints. None of your counselors will, in and of themselves, have all of the answers either! But when you are surrounded by loving people who share your vision, and when you have built a foundation of trust that allows them to speak honestly and freely to you — then you have placed yourself in the best possible position to succeed. So says Solomon.
Being given counsel is only HALF of the battle. ACCEPTING that counsel and acting upon it is the other half.
Our verse for today says, “ACCEPT correction, and you will live.”
ACCEPTING correction requires LISTENING to the voices of those trusted people, measuring their counsel and being willing to change your mind and your actions.
One of the key areas where we all need to accept correction is our determinate about how good we are, and what to do about it.
First point – none of us is good enough to make it to heaven on our own. And comparing ourselves with someone else and determining that we’re better than THEY are so we must be OK, that isn’t going to get us off the hook when the time comes to answer for our life. We all need a savior.
Second point – we tend to think the issue is good enough vs not good enough. But the issue is that WE’RE DEAD. As long as we remain stuck in our trespasses and sins we have no life. But when we ACCEPT CORRECTION from Jesus Christ – and His offer of forgiveness full and free – WE FIND LIFE. Life beats death every time! ESPECIALLY when you’re speaking about eternity.
May God give us wisdom to discern those whom He has brought around us to serve as our counselors.
And may He give us all grace and humility not only to hear– but to ACCEPT their counsel.
But most of all – may He give us the grace to see our need for Him and His life; and to accept HIS OFFER of real life.
