Dear friends,

I recently gave a message to a group of leaders in a seminar conducted by the Haggai Institute. I ended the message with this challenge – “We have intentionally chosen each one of you. We have purposely passed on something to you. Will you passed it on?” Now, can you spot the error? The grammatical error is on the word “passed.” It should have been “pass.”

What lessons can we learn from this?

First, we need to be brave enough to point out errors in our society, and make steps to correct it. There are many glaring errors in our society but we oftentimes choose to ignore it. Some are probably afraid of pointing out errors or some are just plain apathetic.

Jesus actively pointed out errors that were perpetuated by the religious leaders. We can remember the answer of Jesus when he was asked by a Samaritan woman on where is the proper place to worship God – in the temple or in the mountain. Jesus said that true worshipers worship God in spirit and in truth. Jesus corrected their wrong notion of worship – as if God is limited in a particular place. Talking to a Samaritan woman was also a form of correction to Jews who believed that God was only for them. By communicating this truth to a woman, Jesus also corrected the wrong belief that men are superior to women.

Second, we need to be humble enough to accept corrections. Oftentimes, when we hear corrections we react by getting angry and then launch a counter attack. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Yes, to accept corrections is painful. It will hurt your ego and your pride. As Christians, we need to admit our mistakes and make necessary actions to correct it. The consequence of accepting corrections is to harvest a righteous life.

Saul became Paul when he admitted his wrongdoings and accepted the corrections of God. Paul was successful in his ministry because he was humble enough to be corrected. Later, Paul instructed Timothy to use the Scriptures for reproof, for correction and for training in right living.

May we point out errors, and accept corrections as well.

Sincerely,