Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Hatred is being silent when Christians are sinning? Surely, that can’t be right you might say. However, this is exactly what the bible teaches us- to openly rebuke each other and not suffer sin upon them.

1 Timothy 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

The bible is clear that we are to expose sin with the truth, and to do it openly and in public so that everyone may fear God. This is not so that we can point fingers all the time and be holier that someone else, but true love is light, which is open rebuke so that sin will not kill a person.

Proverbs 9:8b rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Secret love is actually the definition of hatred. True love will always correct. Love never wants anyone destroyed, but wants them alive and well. The only thing that will set anyone free is the TRUTH!

1 John 2:9-11 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.11  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Here, the Apostle John gives us the definition of hatred; it is darkness and it is not loving. Hating your brother means you are not speaking the truth in the light, exposing darkness and sin so that the person may be set free. Silence to sin is tolerance to sin and Satan, which is hatred. It is not true love for the person. Of course we need to use wisdom on our approach with certain circumstances, but we do need to be salt and light in a dark world.

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Rebuking of sin is the Gospel of Jesus. A person cannot repent unless their sin is exposed, or they have heard the correct method or way. This does not mean that we are constantly jumping on someone’s back, but we are trying to help them on the very narrow way! This is not always comfortable but it is what Jesus expects from His disciples.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The purpose for the Word of God is to correct, reprove or rebuke and to instruct people so they can be perfect! We all need correction, instruction and an occasional rebuke to “see” the truth and freedom!