TOUGH LOVE / The Path of Least Resistance

This is the 6^th of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:5

"Love Does Not Insist On It’s Own Way”

TOUGH LOVE
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from John 2:14; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; Proverbs 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Paul received a report of a believer in the Corinthian church who was committing sin. The report had to do with him living in sin with his stepmother. He was still coming to church and still acting like a "Christian" but his heart was far from God.

Paul's correction was a strong rebuke. He said that the church should be mourning in sorrow and shame over the sin of this one man. And he instructed the Corinthian church to remove the man from their fellowship. In fact, Paul told them to call a meeting of the church and to throw this man out and hand him over to satan so that his sinful nature would be destroyed and he himself would be saved on the day that the Lord returns. What would our fellowship of believers do today for correction of the same sin?

Paul knew that tough love, a strong rebuke, and a strong discipline was the only thing that would reach this man. He knew that the man had to have a renewal of the fear of God so that he would recognize and acknowledge his sin and turn his heart back toward God. I believe most of our churches today need a greater awareness of the seriousness of sin and a renewal of the fear of God. When sin shows its ugly head in the way of disrespect, dishonor, disobedience or just blatant sin, are we taking sin seriously? Are we willing to practice tough love? Are we willing to, with love, be tough on others and even tougher on ourselves? I will ask myself these questions. Would you also ask yourself these same questions?

1. If there is unrepented sin in my life and am I taking it seriously enough?

2. Am I willing to judge myself so that I will not be judged

on the day that the Lord returns?

Correction is improvement, adjustment, or the modification of a behavior or action. Correction is also discipline, chastisement and rebuke. Jesus corrected people when he walked on the earth. He walked into the temple and overturned the money changers' tables. It was not a soft correction. He didn't say, "Okay . . . , ya'll know better than this." No, he gave them a strong rebuke. The root of Jesus' correction was, and still is always grounded in love. We need to speak the truth strongly, grounded in love.

Father, search my heart for any uncleanness, any disrespect, and anything that is not pleasing to you and purge it from me. Father, I receive the blessing of Proverbs 4:8, "I have a wreath of gracefulness and a crown of beauty and glory on my head." I receive wisdom to give correction when it is needed and wisdom will exalt and promote me because I am exalting and promoting you.

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion Authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

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THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

Devotion: Tough Love

(Adapted from John 2:14; 1 Corinthians 5:3-5; Proverbs 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 13:5)

Verse:

There are two roads to choose

Wide is the path that leads to destruction

There are two roads for you

Straight and narrow is the way that leads to eternal life

Chorus:

Going down the path of least resistance

Headed the wrong way in my insistence

Downward bound, I did it my own way

(Repeat)

Bridge:

So you say, “I did it my own way”

As if it were something to brag about

So you scoff at the straight and narrow way

Full speed ahead to destruction

Ending:

Turn around and don’t stay on the wrong way

Turn around / Don’t look back /

Come join the redeemed on the narrow path

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

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