“Those whom I love I
rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
John,
the Revelator, has conveyed God’s word to the church at Laodicea. That church
‘was neither hot nor cold.’ The LORD wanted to ‘spew them out’ of His mouth.
The next
words God speaks comprise our focus verse. “Those whom I love I rebuke and
discipline.” My personal translation of those words is “Because I love you, I
have to set you straight about your behavior.”
God then
tells the church, “So be earnest and repent.” Here, again, is my translation:
“Be honest, admit where you fall short, and then strive to do better.”
What
would God say to us in the 21st Century? Would he have to spell out what our
sin was? Back when I worked for the government, I sometimes had to train new
employees. In my last job there, I had to use three different terms to explain
to the new people what one or two terms meant before they would understand the
process. This took patience.
When He
corrects our behavior, God is patient with us. Sometimes, we might not learn
that lesson the first time or the second time. When we do not learn what He
wants us to learn, He gives us remedial lessons.
yeah, sometimes it takes 20 times before I am getting it, maybe I am a slow learner. So glad that God is patient and gracious :)
ReplyDeleteMarja: I understand. I used to have to go through the same circumstances repeatedly until I heard someone say that thought about God giving remedial lesssons. If God weren't patient, we'd all be in trouble. Blessings to you and yours,
DeleteThank God for His faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteSandi: Yes, God is faithful. We can't hold a candle to Him on this aspect of his persona.
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