Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Φιλέω/phileó is the Greek word for “love”. It means: love (of friendship), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss (Strong’s Concordance). Jesus regards believers with a warm and deep affinity. There is a sense of harmony.
Christ loves us so much He is willing to reprove and discipline.
Reprove or ἐλέγχω/elegcho can also be translated as: reprove, rebuke, discipline; expose, show to be guilty.
Discipline or παιδεύω/paideuó can mean: I discipline, educate, train; more severely: I chastise.
Jesus is willing to reveal and uncover your issues. He will find us all to be guilty. If necessary, we will be trained like a child. Heaven forbid in severe cases, Christ is willing to reprimand and censure the believer.
The theme of God’s discipline is consistent across time in Scripture. He is not being mean. Correction is for our own good. As a reminder, He loves us…
Deuteronomy 8:5 Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
Photo: Shutterstock
As a result of discipline, the believer should have a response
…be zealous…This is the Greek word ζηλόω/zéloó. This is where we get the English word “zealous”. HELPS Word Studies provides an excellent definition and example.
Imitating the sound of boiling water; to bubble over because so boiling hot; figuratively to burn with zeal (J. Thayer); to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire; to be earnest, to set one’s heart on, to be completely intent upon.
Christ is imploring us to boil with passion for Him and His word.
…repent…This is not a mystical, spiritual word with a deeper theological meaning. The Greek word for repent is μετανοεο/metanoeo. It means: to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins. -Strong’s Concordance
The idea of repent in the Hebrew is teshuvah. Prepare and turn to God. People are called to turn away from their sin, repent, and change course. It is a time of inward reflection and sincere self-assessment. The goal is a change in lifestyle away from sin to obedience in God’s word. The Hebrew month of Elul initiates a 40-day period called Teshuvah.
https://paulthepoke.com/2016/08/28/teshuvah-2016/
One should be ashamed of their actions. There should be real conviction. Be honest. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We can all do better.
Consider the path you are taking. Is a change of heart and mind necessary?
