Love is kind, not nice.
God is Love. God is kind, not nice. He would much rather offend us with tough truth now, so that we walk in the Light, than to see us be destroyed in our delusion. (But He’s patient, too—so much more patient than any of us.)
When Jesus speaks words that cut to our heart, He is usually speaking on a different level than we are hearing. We try to interpret His words based on what we see and know. He is speaking based on what He sees and knows.
For example, consider the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how he might be complete in righteousness. He was obeying the commandments of God, but surely he felt a distance between his heart and Christ’s, or why else would he ask such a question? Jesus’ answer was devastating! “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’” (Luke 10:21).
Immediately we think, “Jesus, really?! It’s so extreme! Why? Isn’t this guy keeping all the commandments?” Arguing. Trying to interpret His words based on what we see and know.
But Jesus is speaking based on what He sees and knows. “But at these words [the young man][ was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property” (Luke 10:22). He saw the young man’s heart was entwined with a love for possessions, that it had a deceptive sway over his soul. (What Jesus would ask you to leave behind may be different. But Jesus never asks us to give something up without offering something better! He invited him to gain possessions which will never be destroyed!)
So we have 2 options: One, we can argue with Him based on what we see and know. Or two, we can humble ourselves and ask Him to tell us what He sees and knows.
We’ve all been in the arguing mode. It’s a very natural, human response. The prophets had it. We have it. The Lord knows our struggle to comprehend His other-than way of thinking. He listens as we spout off arguments. Then He waits to see if we will listen. Will we be quiet, and ask Him to tell us what He sees and knows… let Him define the terms, reveal our motives, break in with light.
I see myself in my 4 year old girl. She displays my own soul’s struggles in vivid color. She reaches to grasp why certain rules or disciplines are in place. I think in her mind, the world would be a lot better if I would just let off. But I see some things she doesn’t see… Likewise, if I struggle to grasp God’s goodness in His disciplines, then I have not grasped the severity of my sin and where it would take me if He left me to grow in it.
Just as He triumphantly rejoices over budding virtues of holiness in my heart as though they were mature plants, He points out the seedlings of wickedness in my heart with a tone I’d only expect to hear if He were looking at evil when it is full-grown!
He sees what is in our hearts, and He knows where those things will take us. No crooked word comes from His mouth. He does not exaggerate to make a point. Neither does He minimize truth to buffer its sting. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” (Prov. 27:6).
“Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it” (Ps. 141:5). I will count such wounds as favor, Lord, not rejection. For You discipline those You love.