For the Christian, leading and correcting our fellowmen are two sides of a coin.
The primary purpose of which is to guide them to render “obedience to the faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26). The ultimate purpose of leading and correcting is the keeping of God’s commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) by doing all things by His authority (Colossians 3:17) and for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). For the leader and those he leads in the faith, their end and purpose is the salvation of their souls (1 Peter 1:9).
The chief principle for leading and correcting ourselves and others is agape love of God and our fellowmen (i.e. our “neighbor”) as the two-part Great Commandment requires us to do (Matthew 22:36-40). Our motivation for,- and styles and methods of,- leading and correcting others must be consistent with the Great Commandment, as it is interpreted for us in our Lord’s sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:1 to 7:26) and other scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As regards leading ourselves and others, our styles and methods must be guided by God’s word which shows a clear, safe path wherein all should walk (Psalm 119:105-106). Leading men to figure out for themselves, unaided by scripture, how to live do not bring good results (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Jeremiah 10:23). Also, those in leadership positions in the world tend to want things to only go their way, often to others’ detriment, but “lording it over others” is not a Christian option (Matthew 20:25-28).
Those considered great and ahead of others must serve as slaves those they lead. Paradoxically, this is no reversal of roles but, rather, a readjustment of perspective and attitude of leaders. After all, the ultimate leader is God, whom human leaders and their followers must obey in humility (the implication of 1 Corinthians 4:6-7). The leadership style this perspective requires is leadership by example; we are to imitate men in so far as they imitate God’s Son (1 Corinthian 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 4:9). After all, Christian leaders are themselves “disciples” (i.e. learners) of Jesus Christ whose thought, attitude and conduct we must emulate (John 13:1-7).
A attitude of humility must characterise our efforts to correct those with erroneous beliefs or conduct. Without compromising truth as contained in God’s revelation but exercising caution so that we are not sucked into the error we intend to correct, we must guard our words, speaking “the truth in love” so that everyone will “grow up in all things into Him who is the head,- Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). With the same attitude and approach of a servant leader in Christ, one who sets out to correct others (especially brethren in Christ) should apply 2 Timothy 2:24-26, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God will perhaps grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
To correct others by teaching them the truth requires that our communication be “… with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:15-16). All who teach to lead or correct have a greater responsibility to control their toungue (James 3:1-12). Difficult though it probably will be, correcting those in error is a noble task. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
Even when the leavening effect of error on the rest of the flock must be addressed and checked by the marking of those in error and having no fellowship with them (Romans 16:17-20; 2 John 7-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13), we must treat the erring Christian as a brother or sister, “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Sinners should be led and corrected through communicating the word of God to them at every opportunity (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Nothing else will do.
Brother Tim Hayes will expound God’s word on this important topic in his lecture, “Guiding With Grace: Leading And Correcting In Love” at the Klang Valley Year-end Seminar 2024 to be held at the Klang church of Christ assembly premises, 1.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday, 16 November 2024. Do join us in this feast of God’s word!
2 Tim 4:1-2 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.