Because I Love You

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


So who does God love? 


John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”


By this we see that God loves everyone. These verses in Revelation chapter three are speaking to the church of Laodicea. God calls all men to trust in Him for salvation, and then God rebukes and chastens those that have followed Him. If you haven’t chosen to follow God, then God is simply convicting you of the sin that is causing separation between you and God. Place your faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ today. 


This morning we see God say, “Because I Love you I must correct the error of your ways.” 


Rebuke = To express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone.


God, through the Holy Spirit, convicts us when we, as Christians, live our life in a way that displeases God. As believers we should desire to please God with our actions. How are you living for God today? Has God been rebuking you? 


Chasten = To have a restraining or moderating effect on.


When we fail to heed the rebuke of God we will face the chastisement of God. Because God loves you He will eventually find a way to change the way you have chosen to live your life. As a good parent it is important to teach your children to make good decisions. We can tell them that what they are doing is bad, but at some point we must moderate the path that they are on. This can be in many different ways, but primarily it is to show them the error of their way, and for them to decide to change and do what is right. God’s chastening is to show us the error of our ways and cause us to desire to turn back to Him. If you aren’t living for God today, know that God will rebuke and chasten you because He loves you.

​By Pastor David Rasnake

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