11/29/2022
Have we been spared the rod by our Heavenly Father, and not been disciplined when correction was called for? If so, are we true children of God or just fatherless orphans? When our Lord disciplines us it is never for the sake of punishment, but to teach us how to be more like Him. It is not so that we will learn to survive in a hard world, but to thrive in heaven above…. To become righteous and holy in our behavior, not hellions, or rabble rousers in the streets.
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.””
Hebrews 12:6 ESV
Discipline is not a curse; it is a blessing that makes us more like our Father and Jesus Christ with each passing day. It is not a onetime event, but a steady course and flow of instruction that teaches us how to behave as our Father does, and prepares us for life in His house, at His table, and amongst His other children… it teaches us how to be a member of His family.
“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”
Hebrews 12:8 ESV
We all are disciplined by the Lord because we all have sinned or fallen short of our Father’s expectations. Neglect or tolerance of poor behavior teaches our children nothing, nor does it show love to them, it simply demonstrates a lack of caring because neglecting to instruct our children is not love. Discipline is not only unpleasant for the child but is not easy to administer as a father. If done in love then that saying, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.” is absolutely true. God suffers in our discipline.
“For they [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”
Hebrews 12:10 ESV
Sometimes we discipline our children so that peace can return to our house, or to make our own lives a little easier when our children are near. I remember my maternal grandfather; children were silent at his table and spoke only when spoken to. He was stern in this way, and I think that this strategy probably served him more than us, but it also taught us how to obey, how to respect our elders, how to deal with situations we felt unfair, and later, we knew how to love this man who loved us enough to teach us the hard lessons of life. There was no doubt he loved us, and we were included in conversations… but we spoke with certain rules applied. Our Heavenly Father loves us too, and He wants to engage us in conversation, but at His table certain rules apply too. Among others, we don’t talk over Him when He is speaking, we respect Him as our Father, and we follow his commandments.
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 ESV
Discipline is not only hard, but it bears fruit, not only for the family, community, nation, and world in which we live, but it gives us a personal peace within ourselves. When we learn how to behave as Christians should it allows us to engage with others and be a part of life as it exists about us. It teaches us how to love and be loved.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”
Hebrews 12:14-17 ESV
Are we ready to invite, and receive the discipline and lessons of our Heavenly Father,
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the discipline that you use to teach us the lessens of righteousness, and holiness. I thank you for the swats on the rear we receive as you wield your hand out of love and not hurtfully. We thank you for preparing us every day in ways that will ready us for an eternal life with you in Heaven. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who perfects us through your love and loving discipline. Praised be your name for every lesson we are taught, and for the joy and peace we will realize from it. Merciful are you who leads us to righteousness so that we will be pleasing to you, and able to walk in the cool evenings in conversation with you. Wash us in the blood of Jesus and let us see the lessons He has taught us with His life. Judge us not in our own lacking behavior, but in the perfection of Christ… our savior, and your dove of peace, who endured the lashes, and the cross that we would be saved.
Rich Forbes