God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
When people know that we love them, they will accept what we say, even when it has to be a rebuke. It disposes them to listen when otherwise they might be cautious, apprehensive, and suspicious. “Love me,” said Augustine, “and then say anything to me and about me you like.” Richard Baxter’s flock used to say, “We take all things well from one who always and wholly loves us” (Derek Prime and Alistair Begg).
