The Cross and Criticism

I stumbled across an EXCELLENT essay called "The Cross and Criticism" by Dr. Alfred J. Poirier on how Christians should receive, give, and view criticism... the biblical way. I highly recommend reading it - you will be convicted, rebuked, challenged, encouraged and comforted all at the same time. Here's a small excerpt:

In light of God's judgment and justification of the sinner in the cross of Christ, we can begin to discover how to deal with any and all criticism. By agreeing with God's criticism of me in Christ's cross, I can face any criticism man may lay against me. In other words, no one can criticize me more than the cross has. And the most devastating criticism turns out to be the finest mercy. If you thus know yourself as having been crucified with Christ, then you can respond to any criticism, even mistaken or hostile criticism, without bitterness, defensiveness, or blameshifting. Such responses typically exacerbate and intensify conflict, and lead to the rupture of relationships. You can learn to hear criticism as constructive and not condemnatory because God has justified you.

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