GODLY CORRECTION IS TRUE LOVE
STUDY NOTES:
REPROVE “elencho” in the original Greek G1651 ἐλέγχω [elegchō] el-eng’-kho – “Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish: – convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.”
John 16:8-11 says of the Holy Spirit:
John 16:8-11 “And when he is come, he will REPROVE the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
This verse shows that God the Holy Spirit will reveal to nonChristians their sin of unbelief.
TRUE LOVE:
Leviticus 19:17 “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise REBUKE thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”
H3198 יָכַח [yâkach] yaw-kakh’ “A primitive root; to be right (that is, correct); reciprocally to argue; causatively to decide, justify or convict: – appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct (-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove (-r), surely, in any wise.” Total KJV occurrences: 59
BELIEVERS who are truly devoted to God will expect to be rebuked or admonished in preaching by their leaders and fellows brothers. Psalm 141:5 reveals that godly king David greatly appreciated the rebukes of people who were walking in right relationship with God. KING DAVID KNEW WHAT TRUE LOVE WAS:
Psalm 141:5 “Let the righteous SMITE me; it shall be a KINDNESS: and let him REPROVE ME; it shall be an EXCELLENT OIL, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” SMITE = H1986 hâlam [haw-lam’] “A primitive root; to strike down; by implication to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband: – beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer).”
David’s life proved he meant these words. David listened to the loving, godly rebukes of Abigail (see 1 Samuel 25:14-35) and the prophet Nathan (see 2 Samuel 12:1-14). Proverbs 12:1 says a person who hates to ever to be corrected is foolish: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish (stupid).”
Proverbs 15:10-12 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Pro 17:10-11 “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. 11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.”
A wise person loves those who rebuke him in wisdom. Those who refuse to be corrected (rebuked/reproved) will go astray and hate the righteous one who is truly loving:
Proverbs 10:17 “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth(GO ASTRAY).”
Psalm 104:7 “At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.”
Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 13:1 “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
Proverbs 13:8 “The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.”
Proverbs 24:25 “But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Proverbs 27:5-6 “Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.””
Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
Luke 17:3 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, REBUKE HIM; and IF HE REPENT, FORGIVE him.”
JESUS REBUKED HARSHLY – EVEN HIS VERY OWN DISCIPLES. As Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection:
Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him(INTERRUPTED HIM), and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee(A SELFISH DESIRE). 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Mark 16:14-16 “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and UPBRAIDED (REBUKED THEM HARSHLY) them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
JESUS UPBRAIDED (REBUKED) WHOLE CITIES
Matthew 11:20-24 “Then began HE (JESUS) to UPBRAID the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, BECAUSE THEY REPENTED NOT: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
REBUKE IS FOR ONLOOKERS BENEFIT TOO
1st Timothy 5:20 “Them that sin REBUKE BEFORE ALL, that others also may fear.”
2nd Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; REPROVE, REBUKE, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Titus 1:13-14 “This witness is true. Wherefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Titus 2:15 “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
FALSE “CHRISTIANS” do not like being rebuked. One of the main problems with professing “Christians” is they hate being corrected or rebuked by true Christians. Why? They love their sin and are condemned already (John 3:18-21)! The corrections and rebukes hurt their fleshly pride and make them feel “unloved” and inferior. GOD says exactly the opposite as one should be willing to listen to life-giving corrections / rebukes as it leads to LIFE eternal. Verse 32 of Proverbs 15 below says he who does not want to listen to such instruction really hates himself.
Proverbs 15:31-33 “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
Proverbs 25:12 “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”
The lukewarm “church” who is leading so many to hellfire is “too loving” to rebuke and discipline one may say? If a pastor(wolf in the pulpit) says he loves the members of his church so much he can only encourage and never rebuke and discipline them, he is deceived about the nature of true love. He has absolutely no idea what the love of God looks like and subsequently serves satan. The “Main St Churches” are judgement not a blessing on this wicked generation. 1st John 4:16 reveals God is love. Jesus is God. Therefore, Jesus is love. Jesus is the perfect expression of love. So let us look at one of the ways Jesus says He expresses His infinite love. Jesus said: “Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN: be zealous therefore, and repent. ” Jesus’ wonderful love is sometimes expressed in rebukes and discipline.
False “jesuses”(THE WORLD AND PROFESSING “CHRISTIANS” LOVE):
There are a number of false “jesuses” being preached in the Church all over the world. This false “jesus” is preached by most “Main St” (EMERGENT / SEEKER SENSITIVE) churches. I say “99%+” on the street corner are false in one way or another. They preach about the “jesus” who is so meek and mild He would not even kill a fly. He would never even think of rebuking or disciplining believers. However, God rebukes as a loving father as we will read below. Pay VERY close attention what happens to Esau, no “deathbed confession” for him!
Hebrews 12:3-17 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 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, 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: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
The verses we just read tell true believers not to be discouraged or lose heart when God rebukes. Sadly, many are on shaky ground and fall away the first time they have to prove their salvation (belief). See the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15). The “lukewarm” get puked out:
Rev 3:16 “So then because thou art LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I will SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH.”
God uses rebukes to help us change and to be released from various sins, idols and hindrances. He rebukes us out of love for our long term good.
A false unity:
Jesus THROUGHOUT His Word emphasized the importance of born-again Christians being in unity (see John 17:20-21 and Ephesians 4:3-6). Sadly, many believers allow their desire for unity to become an idol because they seek unity at all costs. They are willing to hear false gospels being taught in false churches unopposed. How different they are from the Apostle Paul who said in Galatians 1:6-9:
Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Paul also wrote strongly against false gospels: 2nd Corinthians 11:4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another (FALSE) Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him (PREFER THESE WICKED FALSE TEACHERS).”
Can a Christian walk with sinners? Of course not!
Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
King David knew:
Psalm 26:9-10 “Gather not my soul with SINNERS, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.”
The professing “church” are sinners that sit and yoke with sinners. God commands:
2Co 6:14-15 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers(THIS INCLUDES FALSE CHRISTIANS): for what fellowship hath righteousness(SAINTS) with unrighteousness(SINNERS)? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
1st Cor 5:11-13 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is CALLED A BROTHER be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore PUT AWAY FROM AMONG YOURSELVES THAT WICKED PERSON (THE SINNER).”
THE COMMAND:
Titus 3:10 “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition (REBUKE) REJECT.”
Fear of humans and people-pleasing are two of the main motivations to refuse to rebuke and correct specific sins. Whether it’s the wolves in the pulpit who preach ear-tickling, liberal, compromising false gospels or the professing “christian” who is in the pew, they are both guilty and will end up in hellfire, forever.
Some of the fears which hold them in bondage are:
A fear of being rejected or not accepted by their church members. These leaders fear being rejected and insulted like the prophet Jeremiah was for correcting the compromising, sin loving, religious Jews at his time. Jeremiah 20:7-8 “LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.”
A fear of being divided from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc.
Luke 12:51-53 “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather DIVISION: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
Matthew 10:34-36″ Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes(ENEMIES) shall be they of his own household.”
The false fear of man ends in eternal torment. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
Such fears put people into the terrible bondage of people-pleasing. Paul revealed in Galatians 1:10 that our effectiveness as servants of God is diminished to the degree we are people-pleasers: “Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
CHOOSE WHOM THIS DAY YE SHALL SERVE. Either the lukewarm, false, “church” system that has infiltrated every street corner on this earth or to become a saint of God becoming a true, peculiar, called out ones that suffers, is persecuted, etc for HIS Namesake.
Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”