Please read Romans 15, 16, 2 Corinthians 1, and 2 Corinthians 2:1-4. As he traveled, Paul’s goal was to lead people to the truth of Christ and to salvation. Do you notice that his message is always the same, but he addresses different issues based on his audience? What’s your highlight today?
In Romans 15:14, Paul says,
“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another”
There is an important distinction for us to make here, between admonishment and judgement. Here are a couple of very simple definitions:
admonish: correcting with true desire to see growth toward maturity in the Lord
judgement: only pointing out wrongs, without a desire to make things better
To use judgement is important and necessary. To be able to help each other grow is vital. We ought to grow to a place of maturity where we can not only receive admonishment in love and in a right spirit, but we should also be able to be competent to instruct and give admonishment in love. Paul was able to use judgement to discern where his audience was and what they needed – then admonished them in love and kindness.
And then:
glory only in the Lord” 1 Cor 1:26-31
Always, point everything back to the Lord. Give Jesus all the glory!