By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” – NIV
The Laodicean church had settled and arrived. They felt they had all they needed. But when the Lord looked at them, they were lukewarm, in a pitiful and wrecked state. Out of love and desire to see them become what He wanted them to be, Jesus rebuked them for their complacence. He let them know it was out of love and expected them to respond through repentance.
No rebuke and discipline is pleasant. It may discourage, strip of confidence or cause pain temporarily. But it is for an ultimate good. Whoever positively receives discipline, correction and rebukes always becomes better. Those who, out of pride and hypocrisy reject well meaning discipline and continue in their ways, eventually destroy themselves. We all make mistakes one way or another.It takes humility and a focused mind to graciously accept corrective discipline.
God disciplines His own children as well. As it happened to the church in Laodicea, sometimes we stray, settle for what He didn’t intend for us, get entangled with worldly affairs, slacken in our walk with Him, and so on. Out of love, God rebukes and disciplines to correct us. And as He does, He has our best interests in mind, to make us the best He wants us to be. So take it in good faith and repent. He is not punishing, but correcting us.
Hebrews 12:6,7,11 “…because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?… No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Shalom. Peaceful weekend