Have you ever had someone tell you something you didn’t want to hear but knew it was the truth that you needed to hear? Those who are willing to set you down and, in love, tell you what you don’t want to hear are the ones who genuinely care about you!

Prov 27:5-6 An open rebuke is better than hidden love!  6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

People often don’t want to get in another person’s business because they don’t want to go through the possible pain of being rejected or misunderstood. But, God calls us to love each other enough to confront those things that could hurt the people we care about.

Mat 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Sometimes, the only way you can sincerely love your brother or sister is to confront them about something that hinders or could even destroy their lives. This kind of love is not easy, but it is what real love does. The Bible instructs us to love one another deeply from the heart.

1 Pet 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Loving someone deeply, from the heart, will at times require you to say difficult things! Apostle Paul gave this instruction to the Galatian church.

Gal 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Often, when someone is struggling with sin, they feel burdened on the inside and walk around carrying a load that seems too heavy to bear! They need to be set free! When you sincerely love them, you are willing to do what is hard so that you can help them be set free from their burden. I am praying for you today – I am asking God to fill you with his love and with his wisdom. May you care so deeply that you will, by faith, step out and prayerfully, lovingly, and gently help them…

REMOVE THE BURDEN!