A friend who rebukes me

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses”

(Prov. 27:5-6).

When I am sinning, going beyond the scope of God's recorded word,

I do not want to listen to words like lip service from those around me.

Also, when I am in the midst of sinning,

I would rather be a person who prefers a friend

that, instead of covering my sin with expressions of love,

helps me walk the right path by rebuking my sins through God's love.

Even though the absolution from that friend might hurt my feelings,

those wounds are trustworthy, and I want to be transformed through those wounds.