1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Yesterday I offered up an opinion on correction that tried to make the focus on behavior first. When correction needs to be made, how that correction is offered will have a great deal of influence on relationships. I open with this verse today to point out comfort in togetherness. One who needs correction is still a member of the body of Christ and the soothing balm of healing needs to be applied rather than cutting with the sharp knife.

Leave room for the Lord to work in your conversations. Do not wield the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) at your members, you will end up cutting yourself. Leave the Sword of the Spirit to battle the enemy, as it is meant to do His will.

If you truly know the Word of God, seek passages that will edify and bring comfort to both you and the one who needs correction. Grace is the balm that sooths the soul, for both of you, together. The bond of peace in fellowship is more important that minor differences between members.

If the error comes from leadership, it is not the place of the children to correct that error. The eldership will address any important errors which lead to division within the body. The object must always be in creating closer bonds in fellowship.

The Lord has given us many examples of how to deal with one another in the scriptures. Applying those lessons as soothing balms of grace allows the Holy Spirit to work where contentions only make divisions greater.

This is a lesson for all of us, the young in Christ and the more mature. We should all learn from grace in action.