I DO!!!!!

Let’s answer these important questions, yet first we must understand that…

First, we must know that God loves us and proved His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to be crucified, buried and raised again for our justification (John 3:16).

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9

The Love of God Manifested after He Saves Us

If we don’t accept and humble ourselves and obey the correction, chastening, and rebukes of the LORD, it’s due to loving darkness rather than light. This would mean that one is unrepentant, and not enduring sound doctrine. If this is the case in your life, dear friend, you are in need of true repentance (Proverbs 27:5-6; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Revelation 3:19).

The “love” being taught in the apostate modern church world is a false love. “Love” that doesn’t include chastisement and rebuke is false love.

A vital component of divine love is training, rebuking, correcting, admonishing, and chastening.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:11-12

Many today have no clue as to God’s love. Many are following “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4). What does Proverbs 27:5-6 tell us about God’s love?

“Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6

Divine LOVE is defined from Genesis to Revelation and is not always manifested in a soft, comforting fashion. Some call the deceitful coddling and kissing of sin “love” but that’s a false love. Some want to make themselves nicer than the Son of God yet they are deceitfully giving out “the kisses of an enemy” when true love would should when appropriate render a “rebuke.” Jesus, who “is love,” told the false religionists of His day that they were going to hell (Matthew 23) and warned His own people: “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent.” (Revelation 3:19) Love is defined by He who “is love” and not by mere sinful men who who prove they are counterfeit tares by the fact that they seek to justify their own sin and the sin of others (1 John 4:8, 16).

Sometimes we need wounding unto life. It produces needed healing, wholeness (Proverbs 27:5-6).

“She obeyed not.. she received not correction”

“She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.” Zephaniah 3:2

When God’s people were in sin, were in rebellion to Him, they refused to humble themselves and be corrected by the LORD. Read Isaiah 1.

Beware of the large false “love” movement.

“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 IF ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards (without a father), and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 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. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:4-14 

The LORD’s chastening in the life of one of His children only proves His love for them – that He is making them holy as He is holy, so they are fit for His eternal kingdom!

Who does the LORD specifically say He loves? What does the Father do to those He loves?

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19

If you are going through a time of the chastening of your heavenly Father, rejoice that His chastisement upon your life only proves you know Him. Also, be aware of His workings and chastisements and rebukes of others around you who are imperfect just as you are imperfect. Dare not we cast a stone of condemnation their way!

Remember, this is not about YOU. The kingdom of Christ is about HIM, not you. You must be crucified with Christ so Christ reigns in your life (Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; etc.). When the LORD issues a rebuke to someone, it is out of His love and mercy – to restore them (Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 12:5-11). Those who do not warn are not walking in God’s love at all. Warning is for protection. Again….. What’s “Better”?

“Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:5-6

“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” -Are you hiding God’s love? Notice “secret love” – We hide, we hold back, we cheat people out of a huge blessing when we don’t appropriately “rebuke” them as God leads and in His love!

ACCORDING to Proverbs 27:5-6, deceivers among us coddle or kiss people in their sins. This is exactly what the false prophets have always done (Jeremiah 23:17, 22, etc.).

Brother TJ captures some things concerning how we treat others in their suffering and chastisements:

“Jesus be praised! I find it almost comical at this point in my walk with Christ how so many are actually offended by Him. I love how Paul said many times to ‘not be ashamed of his chains.’  Interesting how so many in these last days are ashamed or offended by those servants of Christ who are in ‘bondage’ to the Lord Jesus through various trials, tribulations, struggles, chastisings, etc., at His very hands. Just as Christ’s original apostles couldn’t stay wake with Him in the Garden; and scattered at His imprisonment…even after He forewarned them, etc.  You see, the devil has spewed his doctrines, and has beguiled the Church…As Jesus and Paul expressed not to look down, or be ashamed, of such servants; but instead to ‘share’ ‘encourage’ ‘exhort’ ‘strengthen,’ etc., such brethren. Way too many scriptural examples to use for supporting one in need for Christ’s sake.  Why else did Paul say that when he was on trial, no one came to his defense? Exactly!” TJ

LORD, Change Me | Church Discipline / Restoration | Doctrine, Correction, Reproof, Instruction in Righteousness [podcast] | ARMED and Dangerous! 

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