I’m sure that nearly all of us have been in a store of some kind, and while we are going down an aisle, suddenly we hear the loud cry or screech of a small child because they are not happy about something. Maybe they wanted something in the store, but they were told that they couldn’t have it, so they began to throw a “temper tantrum” and begin to scream as loudly as they can. What is the normal response of that child’s parent? They usually firmly tell their child to “quiet down” or “Stop it!” or else there will be consequences. What that parent is doing is “reprimanding” or “rebuking” their unruly child. The parent’s desire is to have their child change their behavior through criticism of their actions.
This rebuking is done, not because of hatred, but to bring about a change. It is done to try to get an individual to recognize the error of their actions, and to try to get them to do what is right.
This example of the child in the store is like this passage in Hebrews 12.
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we game them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present time seemth to be joyous, but grevious: nevertheless afteward it yieldeth the peacable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:6-11
Like a child who grows up and learns to discern right from wrong, we as Christians are growing each day. Each day we grow a little more, and there some times when we will make a mistake and need correction. You see, it is the normal feeling for a person to feel that they are right, that what they are doing is the correct way to do things, and that they know better than everyone else, but it sometimes takes a firm rebuke to get someone to understand the need for a change.
When on the receiving end of a rebuke, it is not a pleasant experience, is it? As a child, I never liked being confronted and told to stop doing something, because it meant that I would have to change my behavior and what I wanted to do. But it was through that rebuke that I learned to do what was right. I learned to not seek to please myself by doing what I wanted, but to do things that were helpful and beneficial to others.
As the Bible says, it is not a joyous, pleasant experience when we are rebuked. But it is done out of a place of love. Love for a person will tell them when they are doing something sinful, very firmly if need be.
Do you remember the conversation between Jesus and Peter in Matthew 16? Jesus had just gotten through telling His apostles how He would be persecuted, and would suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests, and would be crucified, when Peter began to rebuke Jesus and tell Him that these things would never happen. Jesus then turned to Peter, and rebuked him, saying, “Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
That is quite a rebuke, wouldn’t you say? Jesus rebuked Peter, not out of hatred, but because He loved him. Jesus loved Peter very much, but at that time Peter needed to be corrected so that he would learn to never do that again. I’m sure that was a rather uncomfortable moment for Peter, but he grew stronger and wiser because of it.
Again, this rebuke was not done out of hate, but was done in love. Love will tell a person what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. If I had never been corrected and told to stop doing something that was wrong, but was instead told “Good job!” how would I have known my need to stop? Through love, I was told the truth, praised when I did something good, and rebuked when I didn’t.
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Proverbs 27:5
The Bible is the Book of love, and it teaches us what is right and wrong. It is filled with assurance to those who do good, and love, that they will someday receive the reward that is awaiting them someday. It also warns others to change and repent, as well as the consequence that will await them if they don’t.
God is a God of love, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
Ultimately, the decision is yours. Will you listen to the loving rebuke to repent of your sins, or will you ignore it?
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 