Read: Revelation 2:1-17
Nothing brightens the day more than praise from a person you admire. And few things send us running toward change faster than rebuke from the same person. What we hear from the ones we love affects us more deeply than anything else. So imagine the impact Jesus’ words had on the churches mentioned in Revelation.
Jesus says in Revelation 2:3, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.” It is a great feeling to have someone recognize your hard work. I imagine that type of recognition from Jesus would cause even the most unathletic to cut a back flip.
Correction is not as warming to accept, but Jesus loves us too much to allow us to stay in our sin. He corrects the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5, knowing that while rebuke is hard to hear the consequences of not changing are far worse.
Even today, God loves us enough to put people in our lives who will be that voice of loving correction. Who are those people for you? Thank God for them. If the answer is no one, joining a group or finding a mentor could be your next step.
