Thursday Devotional - Love and Rebuke

Have you ever both rebuked and loved a person in the same moment? I’m guessing many parents can answer “yes” to this question!

A truly godly and loving parent will instruct their child in the ways of God, knowing it’s best for them. As loving brothers and sisters in Christ, we too should desire the best for each other. Most of us don’t like conflict, but if we truly love others, we will humbly share with them God’s standards.

Last week, I gave an overview lecture of 20 chapters in Leviticus to a Bible study class and the following verses were some of the ones that jumped out at me.

Leviticus 19:17-18       ¹⁷ “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. ¹⁸ “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

This is our Holy God talking! He said to both rebuke and love our neighbor in two sentences back to back. They fit together. If we love our neighbor we won’t hate them or seek revenge. If we humbly approach our neighbor with the sincere and honest truth (frankness), then it’s less likely their sin will lead us to a hateful and revengeful heart attitude. Plus, if they rightly respond to the rebuke, we will help them turn from their sin and toward God. They will then enjoy a reconciled relationship with God, us, and others.

Jesus reiterated this in one of his teachings in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 18:15-17      ¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.  

Who have you and I avoided rebuking or confronting?

Will you pray for boldness and humility and then approach them with loving sincerity?

How will you and I be open to receiving rebuke?

Will you and I be thankful for their love and concern for us and listen and respond appropriately?

Alice