|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Whenever I read Hebrews 12, especially verse six, I think, “Ouch!”
For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child (NLT).
I enjoy the Biblical themes of joy, love, answered prayer, and God’s blessings, but I hesitate with God’s discipline. My attitude is, “Well, God, let’s get it over with so I can get on with my life.”
I think the book of Hebrews anticipates my hesitancy and yours as well when it records . . .
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (Hebrews 12:11).
There are two opposite mistakes when considering the Lord’s discipline.
First, we don’t pay attention, learn, and know what the Lord desires on our narrow path through discipline.
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you (Hebrews 12:5).
Second, thinking that discipline is our normal state as a believer.
I’ve met somber Christians who relish in the discipline of God more than His blessings—constant sackcloth and ashes about their difficulties, satisfaction in thinking how great they are for their suffering but completely missing the joy of His presence.
And that’s what discipline is about; it is not a state of life but a release of hindrances to find His joy. As Corrie Ten Boom used to say, “I don’t grasp anything too tightly because it hurts too much when God takes it away.”
Hebrews teaches discipline is relational . . .
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? (Hebrews 12:7)
My earthly father disciplined me (probably not enough), but he didn’t enjoy it, and our heavenly Father takes no pleasure in the mortification of our flesh. But discipline is needed to overturn our lusts and addictions.
The writer of Hebrews 12 continues . . .
Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits and live forever? (v. 9)
I’ve asked, “How can I tell the difference between God’s discipline and spiritual warfare or attacks from the evil one?” It’s a matter of subtle discernment but consider this . . .
God’s discipline is OUCH for a moment then joy. Satan uses the OUCH for our self-condemnation, defeat, anger, and as a hindrance to God’s will.
Again, Hebrews says. . .
But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (Hebrews 12:11b, NLT).
God’s discipline brings peace!
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).
An OUCH heals quickly through God’s grace.