S – ³ Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 

Luke 17:3–4 CSB

O – Forgiveness is a common theme in Christianity and one that is truly essential to a healthy walk with God.  Ironically, “rebuking” someone gets overlooked.  The Greek word is ĕpitimaō, meaning “to tax upon, censure or admonish; forbid (straitly) charge.  We need to call out the sin to the person in truth and love.  And we should do this by diminishing the sin or its results.

A -Failure to be honest, trying to give the “outward show” of nothing wrong when there is something wrong, isn’t God’s way.  Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Real love speaks out to illustrate the sin so it can be dealt with by the person.  I have said, “One of the greatest ways you can show love to someone is by being honest with them.” 

These are painful conversations where you have to check your own heart as well.  If you are pulling punches, not good.  If you are enjoying the other person’s pain, not good.  Keep your eyes on the truth and the sin.  Stay humble.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.