Admonish One Another

In 1 John 2:6, the beloved disciple notes whoever abides in Christ will "walk just as he walked." So what happens when we aren't?

One of the vulnerable gifts of authentic community is the opportunity to come alongside one another to encourage us in our growth in Christlikeness. When we aren't acting, reacting, or interacting in a way that demonstrates Christ's humble, selfless love - we are commanded to admonish one another. Unfortunately, this command is often misunderstood and often neglected. Instead of admonishment, many of us have experienced condemnation, judgment, or being "called out" instead of "called up." Admonishing in the Christian life refers to gently and lovingly correcting one another when we see someone straying from the truth of the Gospel or behaving in a way that is not consistent with Christlikeness. The purpose is to "fully mature in Christ" (Col. 1:28).

It's essential to discern the difference between lovingly correcting someone based on our expectations or preferences; prayerfully distinguishing between our wants and desires of our own heart and the heart of God for others. This requires us to grow in our self-awareness and is why "confessing to one another" and "admonish one another" are two sides of the same coin. While we might initially prefer to be the one "admonishing," recognizing the growth available in this opportunity allows us to cultivate a posture to be admonished. We are usually ready to come alongside others when we reach that point. Giving and receiving are part of our continued transformation.

This command is challenging, vulnerable, and can be awkward at times. However, when we embrace it, it will lead to the type of authentic community we deeply desire.