“Whoever exhorts, [should] minister by exhorting ” ( Romans 12:8 ).
“ But those who have believing masters should not therefore despise them Do not value them because they are brothers, but serve them all the more gladly because they are believers and beloved, intent on doing good. Teach and exhort them to do this ! (1 Tim 6:2).
In the Bible, we read about a slave whose master is a believer. The slave then begins to become negligent. “He is a brother! Let him be patient with me; I am tired. Don’t force me or give me orders.” To such people, the Apostle Paul gives remarkable instructions that are recognized in heaven. He urges slaves not to be negligent, but on the contrary, to serve their masters wholeheartedly.
Admonition is what a person needs when they don't understand (or don't want to understand) what they are supposed to do. The Apostle Paul convinces Timothy, and thus all servants of God's church, to practice admonition. A single conversation with someone is not enough. They must be instructed until they understand what they are supposed to do or what is required of them.
Sometimes a person refuses to accept advice the first time, using a cunning trick. He simply agrees with the advice: “Yes, yes, that’s all right, I agree with you, one must work hard.” But when he gets tired, when he lacks the strength to work well, he begins to think: “My master is my brother, what right does he have to make me work like this!” A cruel master would whip this slave for such behavior, but how should the faithful master, who according to God’s word is supposed to do good to him, treat him?
During Perestroika in Russia, distinct social strata emerged within the church. Some were so fortunate in life that they could start their own businesses. Others worked in those same businesses and received their salaries from their fellow believers. This increasingly presented the church with enormous challenges.
Admonition is what a person needs who does not understand (or does not want to understand) what to do.
Once, a large family approached the brothers of the congregation. The father had been laid off from his job at his own request. However, he hadn't been paid for the vacation time he was entitled to while still working. That was outrageous! A large family being cheated! Every penny has to be scrutinized here.
The brothers of the congregation then approached the company owner, who was also a member of the congregation, to ask why this was the case. He produced a document and explained that the company was small and its financing was very simple: the money earned was paid out immediately. Employees were informed in writing that no deductions would be made from their wages for vacation pay.
The former employee was then questioned again: "Did you know about this? Did you sign these documents?" He confirmed that he did. He knew about it and had signed the documents. So what was the problem? The brothers pressed him further. "Well, he's a brother, he has to put himself in our shoes," was the reply they received.
The Apostle Paul urged Timothy to teach and exhort. The family couldn't understand: "He's a brother, and he can't help us?" This brother would have been better off asking his employer for help instead of suing him in court, knowing he was actually in the wrong. This story suggests how difficult it was for not only Timothy to admonish others. But Paul says: “ Admonish such people ! Admonish them again and again, address such people.”
The Bible speaks of the need for admonition for every person, whether rich or poor, old or young : “ Reprove the rich in this present age. ” (1 Tim 6:17) “Equally admonish the young men ” (Titus 2.6) “ Exhort him with all patience and instruction! ” (2 Tim 4:2).
A person who wishes to serve others will sooner or later be confronted with the need to admonish and advise them. The service of the one who admonishes is closely linked to their own life experience. Ordinary human experience also plays a significant role.
The purpose of this gift is to foster the spiritual growth and development of a believer. One cannot admonish everyone at once. Those who admonish someone should do so in an individual and personal setting. However, instructing many at once is a completely different ministry.
Behave
The ministry of admonition depends very much on the lifestyle and behavior of the one admonishing . Not everyone who admonishes is well-received. For example, it is not considered proper to speak rudely to an elderly person. In one congregation, major problems suddenly arose. I asked a sister what was going on, and she replied indignantly: “ He could be my son , you should have heard the tone in which he spoke to me! ”
Had the sister in faith misunderstood what the brother, who was younger than she, had said to her? No, she had not misunderstood him. But she had been admonished in a way that is neither appropriate for elderly brothers nor elderly sisters. It is not fitting for someone admonishing to speak like a general and think that a soldier stands beside him. For these are men and women of venerable age.
The one who exhorts must live a life pleasing to God . “Furthermore, brothers and sisters, we urge you in the Lord Jesus to increase even more in what you received from us, in how you ought to walk and to please God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
authority
The one who admonishes has no power to bring about spiritual growth. There is no special power for this, and no one is endowed with this power. Admonition is not a pastoral ministry. Whoever admonishes someone is helping them. They are offering them a service. Therefore, this ministry can be considered a The gift of encouragement for personal spiritual growth can be described as the ability to foster the search for life in abundance. God has given us everything “ so that they may have life, and have it to the full ” (John 10:10). And when the one offering encouragement can exemplify this in their own life, the exhortation doesn't need to be emphasized; it happens naturally.
Those who admonish are usually people in positions of authority who enjoy great affection and a certain degree of popularity. Therefore, it is necessary to live worthy of the Christian calling . “ I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called .” (Eph 4:1). “ But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to increase yourselves in this even more.” and seek your honor in leading a quiet life, tending your own affairs, and working with your own hands, as we have commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the eyes of those outside [the church] and not be dependent on anyone. ” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12).
I can say quite frankly that a very high percentage of those who admonish are older sisters. Usually, the phone line for such a person is constantly ringing off the hook, as they are often called for advice. But to say that every sister should be an admonisher is probably wrong. Let us remember how it is written: The elders are to " instruct the young wives to love their husbands and their children ." (Titus 2:4). God has not given this right to just anyone; only an older sister can say that, because she must already have authority commensurate with her age.
Even a sister who has walked a certain path in life, but is not yet an old woman, has enough experience to give sound advice. Such fellowship between sisters is normal and good. And if they spend time together often, then it is good that they encourage one another in some way and teach each other what is good. The sisters often say, "If I were you, I would try this or that." That is necessary advice.
Positive position
People who enjoy great love and popularity usually have a positive outlook. Good advice isn't about prescribing what one should n't do. Rather, it provides direction and positively points the way forward. People who give others good advice have generally been through a lot and strive to speak on equal terms, unlike some preachers. Their behavior shares many similarities with that of a teacher, but there is also a significant difference.
An admonition is a conversation between two people, one of whom shows that he knows what a struggle is and that he is also experiencing one. And he shares the little he has gathered in the course of this struggle. And how often does this " little " become much and important to the other!
to arouse interest
A person who admonishes is not a teacher who proclaims the truth from the pulpit. He puts the truth into practice. It is important to him that people listen to him, that he is understood, and that they are interested in his opinion. It is important to him to awaken the listener's interest. If the listener If someone has no interest in what he says, he will not listen to his admonition.
lengthy process
Please note that the exhortation does not have an immediate effect; it is not an interpretation of the truth in a short time. It requires patience, for maturation does not happen instantly. Spiritual growth takes its time. The one who exhorts does not calculate with an instantaneous explosion that causes an immediate upheaval in the heart. Such a result can be achieved by an evangelist.
The one who exhorts works and works. Sometimes it takes the servant years to understand that he must work just as hard for the master as for his beloved brother. Young men, the wealthy, and everyone else must understand what they have to do. For the purpose of this ministry is to promote the spiritual growth and maturity of the believer, as well as personal success in God. This is not a one-time lecture before a large audience. It requires personal conversations and a personal approach.
Under supervision
admonishing They are not the ones who say what should not be done. Usually, they say what must be done. Beware, therein lies the weakness of those who perform such a ministry. It happens that they cannot empathize with the people they are speaking to. Their position and prestige mislead them, and they adjust their approach incorrectly to their conversation partner, with the corresponding consequences. Therefore, the one who admonishes, like every other person, whatever gift or ministry they possess, is under the special supervision of elders.
Furthermore, he is closely observed by everyone around him. Therefore, the one admonishing must be stress-resistant; the words " Praise be to God " literally permeate his being, even if things aren't going so well for him. But he still gives God the glory for everything.
A person who wishes to serve others will sooner or later be confronted with the need to admonish and advise them. The service of the one who admonishes is closely linked to their own life experience. Ordinary human experience also plays a significant role.
Connecting instruction with life
The focus of the exhortation is connecting instruction with life. Much in life is obvious. And the most difficult thing in life is doing what is obvious. For example, raising children in the Lord's exhortation. Everything is easy as long as it doesn't involve raising children. Here, it becomes clear that not everything is straightforward. It's that simple. It's very clear when it's said: "You women, be subservient to your husbands."
It's easy to hear that during a wedding. But hearing it after 10 years of marriage is much harder. The one who admonishes isn't surprised that people cry out when there's discord, strife, and disagreement in the family. When a believer does something extraordinary, he doesn't groan, "How could he!" And to truly help someone in their situation, simply thinking positively isn't enough.
The connection to biblical teaching
Another focus of the exhortation is the connection between biblical teaching and life. For example, Scripture says that one should live a life pleasing to God, meaning it is necessary to remain in faith even amidst many trials.
What does it mean to remain in faith? What trials might arise? How Can one not waver? Above all, one must not wait for wavering and tremble before it occurs. It is necessary to live in a way worthy of Christian teaching. If biblical teaching emphasizes this, then clearly not everyone lives worthy lives. We must therefore help people understand what is written and recognize the punishment for unworthy behavior.
The apostles cautioned that it was necessary to remain in the faith, even amidst many trials, in order to be worthy of the Christian calling. They said, "Do not be discouraged, life goes on." Having put some things in order , it is necessary to remain in the faith, even amidst many trials . “ They strengthened the disciples and exhorted them to remain steadfast in their faith, saying that we must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God ” (Acts 14:22) .
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Apostle Paul convinces: “ If you are without the discipline from which all have received, you are not true sons and are not sons. ” (Hebrews 12:8). Yes, one has to go through a lot to receive such a profound revelation. Therefore, one should not gasp and groan when one becomes ill, encounters difficulties, or experiences depression.
Sometimes you hear that Christians don't get sick, don't get angry, aren't rude, and don't get depressed. Theoretically, all of that is true, so in practice, it's a very big task to teach someone not to be rude, especially if they come from an environment where rudeness is the norm. To achieve this, one must grow in love; believers must love everyone—that is the foundation of the doctrine. And how can you help someone to love everyone? That is the task that the one who exhorts must address.
From the moment a person hears the truth until the moment the truth becomes the reality of their life, a great deal of time passes, and blessed are those who can endure it during this time.
I am blessed when I can be patient with others. I know what I can suggest to another person, how I can help them, how I can support them. So that the person can say, " Yes, I see, you're on my side . " What does it mean to be "on someone 's side " ? That doesn't mean I condone the rude person's behavior. Wisdom is needed here, knowing how to speak to people. The standard approach of "God loves you" isn't enough.
An admonition is a conversation between two people, one of whom shows that he knows what a struggle is and that he is also experiencing one. And he shares the little he has gathered in the course of this struggle. And how often does this "little" become much and important to the other!
Sons of Consolation
Everyone – families, children, sinners – needs to hear the following message: “God loves you.” The gift of admonition is a special talent. It is good when a person possesses it and knows how to comfort and persuade.
There is a wonderful example in the Bible, Barnabas. His name translates as "Son of Encouragement" (cf. Acts 4:36). He He had another name, but the apostles could see into the human heart, and in the memory of mankind he remained as Barnabas – the son of encouragement. He was often with Paul.
Before Paul encountered Christ, he persecuted the church. Therefore, he could not be received in Jerusalem. It was Barnabas who saw who he was dealing with and who supported Paul, helped him, and led him to the other apostles. Barnabas used his authority. He recounted how boldly Paul preached. The apostles probably then said to one another, "Yes, this is truly the Son of Encouragement. He saw what we overlooked, what we did not consider to the end."
The gift of exhortation is very needed in the church. It may be widespread among the brothers and sisters, but for a pastor, it is simply a necessity. A pastor without the gift of exhortation will quickly come to grief. Without this gift, he cannot understand what is happening in real life. I have met ministers who know the truth well, preach it, and then encounter real life and don't know what to do. They don't know how to help real people, how to behave in a given situation, also due to a lack of experience. Pastors urgently need to pray for the gift of exhortation.
A preacher cannot work alone like a palm tree in the desert. He relies on his brothers, on the people of God. And how important it is that these brothers and sisters carry this good news with their lives.
Many people who are not servants also possess the gift of admonition. Another striking example is the servants of Naaman. They admonished their master, the Syrian commander: “ If the Prophet had commanded you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more so, since he has said to you …” (2 Kings 5:13) .
The servants spoke like people who have experience and knowledge of life. This is a kind of spiritual gift that enables a person to pay attention and listen attentively to what is said to them. This gift doesn't work from a position of superiority. It brings the speaker's words down to the listener's level. I understand you: Of course it's difficult for you, you're having trouble with it. Let's try this or that.
Those who admonish are those who build up the community; much depends on their work. How many people have been strengthened, supported, helped, or given a kind word by such workers in their lives, understanding people when others did not? Therefore, I believe this is a serious gift of ministry for which everyone should pray.
Leonid Odessky
Tel Aviv