The importance of correction

I like to pick friends that aren't afraid to upset me. This is important if you want to grow spiritually and maybe even a necessary part of it. I find that I change the most when people are disappointed in me. It is one of those things that you hate but afterward it's kind of like surgery. It hurts for a while and then you feel better than you ever did. I've learned a lot from difficult teachers and have flourished when I am around them. The things that make you the angriest are quite possibly the things that you need to hear often. If I didn't have people like this in my life, I would probably be in prison. Iron sharpens iron and a feather can not sharpen a sword. Jesus offended people many times in The Gospels. He was not cozy to every person he ran into. Jesus said," I did not come to bring peace but a sword." The bible also says that "the truth is a sword." A sword is unforgiving and lethal and bloody. If this is what the truth is, it definitely shouldn,t feel good when you hear it. I would even think that it would at the least make you cry. It does to me, I cry a lot when I hear the Word of God. Comfort keeps us from growing. Sometimes we need to feel discouraged. Why should we feel encouraged about living out of the will of God?? Some people's behavior should not be encouraged at all, and need to be stiffly scolded for their godlessness. How can we have integrity if no one pushes us to be integral. You should not be afraid to call out someone who calls himself or herself a child of God and acts like a harlot named Charlotte. Grace is for those who repent, not for those who don't care. Jude verse 23 says," on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment that defiled the flesh." If we tolerate sin then it will take over the whole world like a weed, which has started to happen. There is very little standard for honesty in this country anymore because no one has the guts to confront sin boldly.
I encourage you to find someone who isn't afraid to " rain on your parade." I hope that you find someone who makes you angry. It might change your life.