Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3:19 (NIV)

 

In the Book of Revelation, we read about seven churches in seven cities, and how Christ sent a unique message to each one. It was important for Christ to do so because some of these churches had lost sight of their mission, while others were fighting opposing forces that sought to erode their faith. The Lord, just as He had done with His disciples throughout His earthly ministry, was strengthening these churches to remain faithful and firm to Him.

It is useful to know the difference between correction and condemnation.

Often, Christians appear to confuse these two expressions for the same meaning. They end up harming and wounding each other by interpreting God's Word incorrectly in dealing with sin and flaws. They can mistakenly believe that there is no place for good correction in a Christian community because everyone is "under grace, not under law."

Consider Christ's words: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten". "Rebuke" (elegchō) means "to bring light, expose" (Strong's G1651), whereas "chasten" (paideuō) means "to train" (Strong's G3811). Understanding "rebuke and chasten" in the proper context reveals that Christ was not putting down the believers. He was genuinely edifying His followers with His grace and power.

Regardless of how defective or flawed these Christians were, Jesus cared for them and claimed them as His own. He corrected them by giving them a prophetic revelation of who they truly were in Him and what they were meant to be through Him. Similarly, Christ still has a prophetic word for His people today, and I believe that every church and believer should open their hearts to hear what He is saying.