Discipline from God
The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.
Hebrews 12:6
I can remember when I was a young kid and was disciplined by my parents because I did something they considered wrong. Sometimes I knew what I did was wrong and sometimes I thought I was right and argued with my parents. We surely understand why God disciplines us for our known sinful habits, to help us overcome them. But do you think God sees things in our life that he considers sin, things we don’t notice as sin, or something we know about but don’t consider sin? I am using the term sin as anything that is not pleasing to God. Without God disciplining us, could he mold us to conform to the likeness of his Son?
God doesn’t discipline us to punish, he disciplines out of his perfect love for us. He loves us to much to leave us in our sin and he disciplines us to make us holy and Christ-like in our hearts. God’s discipline brings spiritual growth and brings us closer to the Lord with more faith. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) This verse is the definition of discipline, because everything we endure in this life, God will carry us through using it as discipline for our good.
Understanding that everything in life God uses to discipline us, then how do we react toward God when we are faced with difficulty and hardship? We can do two things, (1) we can let Satan’s fear enter our hearts, driving us inward and away from God, or we can (2) know God will use it a discipline for spiritual growth, and view the hardship as an opportunity to show our love for the Lord through our faith. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Nothing pleases God more than our faith, to trust him; and the more fearful the situation the more our faith pleases him. There is no other way to truly show our love for the Lord than to trust him to carry us through the storms of life.
Today consider whatever happens, the Lord will use to mold you to be Christ-like. Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17) Walk with confidence in the Lord’s love knowing all things he will work for your good. Trust the Lord and remain secure in Christ and seek to be calm and Christ-like is every situation.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your love for me, for disciplining me to the likeness of your Son, for making be holy, and bringing me closer to you. Guide me to live for Christ today, revealing the changes you have made in me. Thank you for changing me and for continuing to change me, giving me life to the fullest. In Jesus name, Amen