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Christian Life

Proverbs 27:5 NIV

By January 27, 2021No Comments

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” Proverbs 27:5 NIV

Can I tell you my first reaction to this verse is – ‘Nah, keep your open rebuke, I’ll take your hidden love.” But, after some thought and study it becomes very clear I would rather have just what Solomon proposes here. I even thought, ‘How about no rebuke and reveal your love.’ The problem with that is that no rebuke isn’t love. Oh, it may feel more loving initially, but in reality, we must genuinely, caringly, and compassionately (I might also add gently) rebuke or correct those we really love. We have to question a parent who doesn’t rebuke their child. Too often I have dealt with a child raised this way, and it can be a nightmare. As adults, it would be the same. Often in life, the most loving thing someone can do is care enough about you as a person to gently (or abruptly if necessary) speak into a brokenness in your story. This is how we learn and grow, especially through blind spots or weak areas of our life. I have used the word care a lot in this short thought. Though it’s painful, or perhaps because it’s painful, we know someone cares when they are willing to speak the truth in love into our story. Today, listen to the rebukes and speak them, very carefully and only as God leads, realizing this is truly a demonstration of love. #BeTheEdge

“…My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5b-6 NIV

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