PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN PRINCE

I have been watching and listening to people this week, reacting, and speaking out about a racially charged case, where a young black man was shot and killed. It should sadden us when we see this kind of thing happen. A man who Jesus shed His blood and gave His life for has taken the life of another, whom Jesus shed His blood and gave His life for. I am sad because the reaction to this is all about one agenda or another, and not about the tragedy of taking a life.

Even we as God’s people can get caught up in the emotion of the moment and find ourselves guilty of overreacting and hurting others by our comments. I am as guilty as the next when it comes to venomous outbursts in reaction to injustice. God has given us all a sense of what is just, and when something offends that we react, usually in anger. That is not always a bad thing, we should actively work to correct injustice, but tempered with God’s love, in order to build that persson up, not tear them down.

Interestingly enough, the very same verse of scripture that says “Seek justice”, also says “Love mercy”, and “Walk humbly with God”.

The real tragedy of an event like this is not only the pain, sorrow, and loss of life, but if we are not careful, the ripple effect of how we react to this as God’s people.

So what do we do when we find we are wrong? How do men of God respond to that?

I have found it difficult to admit I am wrong at times, even when I knew it as soon as it came out of my mouth or when the act was completed. We find ourselves reaching and stretching to justify our actions or positions on a subject, even when we no longer believe what we are saying. I guess that is a pride thing and should probably red flag and move us to repentance and correct us.

In watching all of the reactions this week, I was encouraged by a couple of men I consider good Godly friends and mentors.

One of these men had gotten caught up, I think, in the injustice of the case mentioned above. This friend loves people of all races. He ministers to those in prison without thought of color or age or any other of the things we like to use to separate us. He loves God and is a man of integrity, and I love him like a brother. I read some of the things he posted online in reaction to this case, and by his remarks, I could feel his sense of justice had been offended. I said a little prayer for him, that God would give him peace. Later, I read something he posted, that has come to bless and teach me how to be a better man.

He wrote, “… one of our pastors graciously reminded me….I realized my error and apologized to…”

This is such a great picture of how we should interact as men of God. We may be 100% correct in our belief about something and 100% wrong in how we react to it. It takes real love and courage to go to someone you care about and say to them… “could we talk?” “I have something to share with you”, we risk our friendship. What if we are wrong in our assessment? Will I do damage or hurt my friend by saying something to him? Many things come to mind when we are considering what the Bible calls rebuke or correction.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

I love the way Paul combines those words Correct, Rebuke, and Encourage. the king James says ” with all longsuffering”

We agonize over saying something to a brother in Christ, but if we are moved by God to speak, we should, in all love and humility, speak the truth to encourage our brother. The reaction is not up to us. That is between our brother and the Lord. But if we have prayed over the words God would have us say in love to correct our brother, we have done our part, now it is God’s turn.

So for one of our pastors to come along side my brother and “graciously remind” is an example that should mentor us as men to love each other enough to take the risk and “correct, rebuke and encourage” our brother in Christ.

This leads us to the reaction. This part does not always go well. None of us likes to be corrected, not even by God. It is the age-old battle we fight with pride. So to see my friend and brother in Christ openly and publicly admit to overstepping and being wrong in how he reacted, not only shows integrity and builds his credibility, it is teaching and mentoring all of the men (and everyone) in his circles of influence on how to properly respond to loving correction. By doing this, we have a part in building Christ like character in others.

I could not be more grateful for his example, and I am so proud to call both of these men my brothers in Christ.

In Psalm 51 we read about David’s reaction to Nathaniel’s rebuke and correction of David’s behavior with Bathsheba and Uriah. What a great Bible example for us to examine and incorporate into our lives as men of God. Will you take some time this week and read through Psalm 51 and ask God to teach you how to be gracious and responsive to loving rebuke, after all, what we really want is to become the men God is calling us to be, right?

God bless you in your quest…

Be a man after God’s own heart…

Be a man like David…