Loving Criticism
First, please allow me to use the English dictionary to define what criticism is: the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.
It is not the same as a critique: evaluate (a theory or practice) in a detailed and analytical way.
Did you know that there’s a compelling argument circulating that Jesus, the figurehead of the church, would never criticize it?
I am not sharing this to promote the idea of being a proponent of criticizing the church. I am sharing this to demonstrate that bold statements that are final in nature on a subject need to be subjected to the whole counsel of Scripture before they are embraced. I do not believe it is healthy or appealing to be a person who never has anything good to say about the church. If all one can do is find fault, it doesn’t make them a prophet. However, there are times when correction is needed in order for believers to stay on course in their walk with Jesus.
Scripture does teach us that rebukes and correction are attributes of a loving Father.
Hebrews 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Correction, through pointing out what might be wrong with something spoken or done, is necessary in life if we desire to learn and grow.
High-level athletes, musicians, artists, and business people have discovered that criticisms of their work can fuel their efforts for improvement. When they are secure in who they are, they welcome criticism because they desire to improve.
If Jesus never criticized the church, there should be no evidence in the entire New Testament that He did so. Yet there is sufficient evidence that He did criticize certain churches for their benefit.
Here’s just one example:
Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
I absolutely love how Jesus makes it clear that He rebukes and chastens those whom He loves with the aim of helping them change their minds and adjust their ways with an end goal in mind. I think it would be the most awesome thing ever to sit with Jesus on His throne just as He sat down with His Father on His throne after conquering death, hell, and the grave. I am indeed seated with Him in the heavenly places right now, but this is a promise of something yet to come. Some rewards await us in the not-so-distant future, and those rewards are glorious. Holiness has not gone out of style with heaven, and consecration and loving devotion to Jesus has not been cast aside. Loving criticism will always be to our benefit so long as we do not harden our hearts to it and falsely accuse the practice of being unloving and hurtful due to walking in unchecked pride.
