He Loves Us

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous, therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3.19

 

Only God knows what the New Years hold, but one thing is true –

 

HE LOVES US!

 

Sometimes it’s good for us to realize that God’s love for us will not always seem pleasant, but it does not change the fact that He does love us!

 

Consider some example regarding the words of Christ in Revelation 3:19. When did the Lord Jesus Christ ever rebuke and chasten those He loved?

1) He rebuked Simon Peter on more than one occasion... because He loved him.

2) He reproved the unbelief and self seeking of all His disciples - because He loved them.

3) He stripped bare the hypocrisy of the Pharisees on several occasions -  because He loved them.

4) He confronted the Samaritan woman's sin - because He loved her.

5) He cleansed the temple twice and drove the crooks out the door - because He loved them.

6) He preached on Hell more than Heaven - because He loved sinners.

7) He identified religious movements and named the wicked - because He loved those ensnared by them.

8) He taught His apostles to do the same and commanded them to teach their disciples to do so as well... because He loves the souls of men!

 

God's love is confrontational.  It's not tough love.  It is God's love.  It is what the world needs and it is what God provides – John 3.16!

 

Happy New Year!

 

Run with patience

Pastor