To Resemble the Icon

Whenever I hear one of the brethren recounting about the person in charge of them in the church that he does not know anything but to criticize them, I hasten to ask him: “does he help you achieve what he is wishing for you?”. These words are not new to you. When God shows us mistakes committed in front of us, He does not do so in order for us to bully those who commit them, but rather to always participate in correcting them. I am not telling the brethren: “Do not listen to the criticism directed at you”. This is always beneficial. I am telling their criticizer to strive to extend a helping hand to them in every situation. What he is asking for, is also required of him. This is not hate speech, but an outstretched hand for the sake of better service. We are all familiar with the words of the Prophet Isaiah that were fulfilled in Christ, that is: “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench” (42:3). Is there a golden icon of responsible service in the congregation that shines brighter than Jesus? This is our salvation, to resemble the icon.