Rebuke

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5 ESV 

 Rebukes are hard to take. But it's better to be rebuked openly for something we've done wrong rather than have people talking behind our backs. Rebukes are important to take well. 

If someone rebukes us, we usually deserve it and need it! So we should take rebukes in the spirit in which they're most likely given: as an attempt to improve us. I'm reminded of Paul opposing Peter to his face for refusing to eat with Gentiles.

Hidden love is pretty pointless, and isn't much of a love at all. A common theme in some films is unrequited, hidden love. Thankfully it usually gets found out in the end, and they all live happily ever after. If you love someone, tell them! 

Tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us, and we wouldn't want to live without someone knowing that we love them. I'm not so much on about romantic love as a spiritual love that transcends all boundaries and is prepared to rebuke someone if they seem to be going wrong. 

"Father in heaven, thank You for being willing to rebuke us in Your word if we go wrong. We praise You above all for Your unfailing love to us in Christ, in His name, amen"

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