LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 12:10-11, For our earthly father’s disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how.  But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in His holiness.  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening it is painful!  But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  (NLT)

 

Do you have stories of your parents disciplining you?  I don’t remember being disciplined when I was younger.  My sister has told of one time I must have done something bad enough that it got Dad out of his chair to come do something to me.  On his way he slipped on a rug and fell.  Mom and Marsha evidently had trouble not laughing and I was the only one to go see if he was okay.  That must have worked because no one could remember any discipline handed out after that.

 

As parents we are to discipline our children when the need arises.  The Bible tells us not to spare the rod.  Punishment comes in different forms and should be appropriate for the “crime”.  It seems to me that our society today would be much better off if appropriate disciple would be used to correct bad behavior.  However, too many would disagree with that.

 

The verses above tell us that God’s discipline is always right and good because He is able to see it is something that will profit us, bringing us to share in His holiness.  If the correction and discipline of our earthly parents deserves our respect and obedience, how much more should the discipline of our Heavenly Father?  Earthly parents sometimes make mistakes in their discipline practices; God never makes a mistake because He knows what will be best for each us.  God’s discipline may cause us to go through hardships or troubles that cause us to suffer, but they are a sign that we are His children (read v,7-8).  They show us that God loves us and is concerned about us.

 

Perhaps we should look at why God disciples us.  He does not want us to be condemned with the world.  1 Corinthians 11:32 sates, "But when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world.”  This world is about to be judged and found guilty of ungodliness and unrighteousness!  Do not doubt me here!  You do not want to be condemned with the world.  God’s discipline might be hard but it is to bring us out of the world’s evil philosophies.  That is the other part of God’s purpose for discipline – to share in His holiness and to continue to live holy lives.  Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure’ for they will see God” (NLT).

 

Sometimes you and I get off the narrow way!   Do not be surprised by this happening in your life.  Satan is always trying to get you to fall off the narrow way.  When we fall, we need to go through God’s discipline; it is important to submit to His will and continue to remain faithful.  His discipline will get you back on the narrow way and keep you there.  This is the way we continue as God’s spiritual children and the result will develop righteousness in our lives.  Then we can see our Christian walk strengthened and we can help and encourage others in their Christian walk.