Able Also to Admonish One Another

September 11, 2022

Do not rebuke, as legitimate as that is, but “admonish one another” is the

Holy Spirit’s directive at the end of Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians

(Romans 15:14). Paul has a great deal of confidence that they are “full of

goodness, filled with knowledge (the knowledge of Christ), able also to

admonish one another.” We come to this conclusion, that even Christians

who are not full of the goodness and knowledge of Christ should not

admonish lest they appear arrogant doing themselves and others more

harm than good. Jesus said it this way, when the blind lead the blind, both

fall into the ditch. Our brother James says, “My brethren, be not many

masters (admonishers, teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater

condemnation” (James 3:1). In order to instruct well, both goodness (the

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ) and the knowledge of the Word are

prerequisites. One cannot teach the wisdom of God unless he has an

intimate knowledge of the goodness, grace, and peace that comes only

through a personal forgiveness. Having been forgiven generates

forgiveness toward others including: family, friends, and yes – enemies!

The goodness of God transforms men like Paul into ambassadors and John

Mark into helpful servants. That same grace that has been multiplied

toward us, “poured out like wine upon the alter”, and impacts in a

dynamic way those we admonish by loving faithful devotion. We cannot

abuse one another, label one another, yell at others, and gossip about one

another and admonish at the same time. Sweet water and bitter does not

come from the same source. God knows our hearts and so speaks through

the knowledge of goodness to admonish those who are hungering and

thirsting for righteousness. He promises that they will be filled from a cup

that is clean and fit for the master’s use. Notice the cup need not be gold

or silver but “clean” through the blood of the lamb. By grace are ye saved

and by grace you save.

Dr. Kenneth E. Morrison