Hebrews 12:5-7 And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you His children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves,and He punishes those He accepts as His children." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?
Why do we receive discipline? God's purpose is to train us in personal holiness.
Hebrews 12:10 For our earthly fathers 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.
God's discipline is corrective not punitive and to teach us the way of holiness, godliness.
1 Timothy 4:8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.
Take God's correction seriously.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
To avoid divine discipline: Pursue God wholeheartedly. Study the Scriptures. Apply them to our lives. Find godly people who will hold us accountable for our actions.
1 Corinthians 11:28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christi is among you, it means you have failed the test. (added by me)
Practice Spiritual examination.
1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong thing.
Confess our sins to the Lord God, this tells God we agree with Him, that His way is right and what I'm doing is wrong.
1 Timothy 6:11 But you, Timothy, belong to God; so run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Repent, humble our self quickly, admit our wrong behavior.
From me:
Discipline is no fun. Who wants to be corrected? To be told they are wrong and suffer consequences for their actions? Hebrews 12:11 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. Other versions of the Word puts it as "producing a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." And that is the payoff. I love when I do the right thing, and I just have that peace and joy that comes from knowing I followed the way of Jesus. God is so good to us....He knows that sin and rebellion, in the end, bring us nothing but heartache and sorrow. Even in the smallest of things, our hearts become disquieted inside. So He teaches us, disciplines us, patiently, lovingly. What a good Father we have.
Thank You Lord for loving us enough to correct us, to teach us and lead us in the paths of holiness. Thank You for Your patience and tenacity in dealing with us ofttimes troublesome beings. I am so grateful that You never let go of of Your children!!
No comments:
Post a Comment