CORRECTION IS CONFIRMATION OF HIS LOVE

Those I love^G5368, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19-20 (BSB)

These verses are within the message to the church at Laodicea, the ones who were spiritually tepid, neither apathetically cold nor passionately hot, and the Lord said He would spit them out. Surprisingly, the word used for love in this passage is philĕō, a friendly, sibling affection, rather than agapăō which is a moral choice to love. To rebuke is to make someone aware of their faults; and to chasten is to discipline, teach, or punish. Jesus says that He points out the sin of those He loves, those who are His friends, and takes measures to correct them. The Lord’s intent in showing us our sin (conviction) is to show us that we need to make an “about face” away from sin and make a beeline toward Jesus (repentance). Once we realize how far we are from Him, we will see that we need to trust His accomplished work on the cross and throw open the door for Him to walk through and take control of our lives. The Lord Jesus says he will sup (dine) with the one who invites Him in. This is more than just sharing a chicken fried steak and some sweet tea. This note from The Complete Jewish Study Bible explains what the Lord is truly saying:

In Jewish culture meal sharing includes table fellowship, affection, intimacy and mutual confidence. In short, Yeshua is promising to be intimately and truly present with anyone who genuinely asks him. ⁽⁶⁶⁾

 Rubin, Rabbi Barry, The Complete Jewish Study Bible, note on Revelation 3:20

Notice that Jesus is not judging His friends when He rebukes them. Because He loves them, He is not willing to leave them in the sin that separates them from relationship with Him. One of the hardest things to do is to lovingly confront a friend who has strayed from the way Jesus would have them to go. However, it is one of the most loving things we can do on behalf of the “familyship” because it is for the sake of fellowship with the Lord and His fellowship with His bride. Sin impedes every kind of intimacy both with the Lord Jesus and within the Messianic community—all those who have trusted Jesus for salvation. Accountability is crucial to growth, and intimacy flourishes among those who love enough to gently rebuke each other.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. Genuine love cares enough to confront rather than bury that which separates a friend from the intense loving relationship with Jesus that restores vitality to life. When someone rebukes you, do you bristle? Remind yourself that they may be doing this most difficult task out of affection and for your protection. Their hope is to restore your intimacy with Jesus and deepen your friendship with them. 

Father, help us to understand that correction indicates love. Thank You for loving us enough to convict us when we stray from Your path for us.