“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25

Yes our LORD and Savior is the Shepherd and Bishop over the souls of His beloved people. Admonishments would be one element of His stated will. Let’s take a look.

What Does it Mean to “Admonish” Someone?

The biblical word, instruction to “admonish” means to put in mind, to caution, reprove gently, to warn.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:16-17

As the Word of God dwells richly, abundantly in our midst, so shall the admonishments of the LORD take their place in and among us. Admonishing and encouraging other believers as we share in the Word of God, learning and living it, glorifies the LORD. Godly admonishment will always come out of the Word of God, in the love and wisdom of God, through crucified vessels. It will always be the Word of God and not the selfish whims of mere men.

Amidst the earliest followers of Jesus Christ, who continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, one can ascertain that godly admonishment was a regular part of their pristine fellowship.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 

“Behave Yourself”

Years ago, a dear brother in Christ I knew used to tell the brothers around him, including myself, to “behave yourself.” His tone completely lacked self-righteousness and was yet rather, loving. In his exhortation he was loving, yet firm, and that godly tone carried through in his words and were nearly as important as these words of exhortation he would lovingly charge other brothers with.

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Romans 15:14

The apostle was persuaded that the brethren of Christ at the church, the body of Christ in Rome, Italy were…

• “full of goodness,”
• “filled with all knowledge,”
• “able also to admonish one another“

It takes oneness with God in Christ to fill a man’s heart with His “goodness.” (John 15, 17) It takes a whole Bible to make a whole disciple and when we are “filled with all knowledge” of God’s Word, we shall be “able also to admonish one another.” (Romans 15:14)

Adam Clarke on Romans 15:14

“They were so full of goodness and love. Filled with all knowledge – So completely instructed in the mind and design of God, relative to their calling, and the fruit which they were to bring forth to the glory of God, that they were well qualified to give one another suitable exhortations on every important point. If they were all filled with knowledge, there was little occasion for them to admonish one another; but by this they were well qualified to admonish others – to impart the wisdom they had to those who were less instructed.” Adam Clarke

Beloved saint of Christ, do you realize the divine blessing that will come upon your life as you ask the Father to break you and fill you full of His love? Read 1 Corinthians 13 daily in the morning this week and memorize John 13:35.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:17

As usual, among the saints of Christ, in oneness with Christ and the Father, crucified with Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, love must be the driving motive. We must be moved with God’s love as it permeates our inner man.

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

As we are truly crucified with Christ, we shall walk in the mind of Christ, and all things shall be done in His love, for the blessing, the betterment of others whom we will “esteem … better than” ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5; John 15, 17).

KJB WEBSTERS 1828 Dictionary Definition:

admonish

ADMON’ISH, v.t. L. admoneo, ad and moneo, to teach, warn, admonish.

1. 1. To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness.

Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2Thess. 3.

1. 2. To counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise.

Admonish one another in psalms and hymns. Col. 3.

1. 3. To instruct or direct.

Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle. Heb. 8.

1. 4. In ecclesiastical affairs, to reprove a member of the church for a fault, either publicly or privately; the first step of church discipline. It is followed by of, or against; as, to admonish of a fault committed, or against committing a fault. It has a like use in colleges.

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” 1 Thessalonians 5:12

“Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:15

Another rendering of the word biblical word and instruction to “admonish” ….

transitive verb. 1a : to indicate duties or obligations to. b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner were admonished for being late. 2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to admonish them to be careful …

Provoking One Another unto Love and Good Works

“And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

May the LORD bless us with the admonishment to His glory, empowered by His Holy Spirit and love.

May God bless us to be rooted in Him, one with Him and bearing His fruit – the fruit that He alone can produce in this relationship (John 15, 17). Do we readily own the divine themes of John 17 and then 15? Life changer! Gain the vision of this divinely painted masterpiece and work off this biblical grid beloved! In John 17 Jesus prays to the Father to make us one with them and then in John 15, our LORD speaks of that abiding relationship He saved us for and the corresponding fruit produced by God, for His glory! Let it be in each of our lives this day and this week dear LORD Jesus! As we allow Jesus, the Great Shepherd of His sheep, to guide our lives, through that daily cross relationship, He shall lead us beside the still waters into fruitful pastures that glorify His holy name (John 10; Psalms 23).

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for finding and saving Your beloved people by the blood of Your only begotten Son. We love You dear Father and LORD Jesus Christ! Make us to be one with You and therefore to bear the fruit that glorifies Your holy name. I am no longer my own but Your, bought by Your precious blood and now abandoned to Your perfect will, leading, guidance, and truth. Please allow Your command to ‘admonish one another’ be found throughout Your body as it pleases You. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

The Body of Christ

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One Body in Christ [podcast]