AUGUST 2
A LOVING FATHER'S DISCIPLINE
Hebrews 12:7-10
7 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. (WEB)
I am always somewhat hesitant to talk about the Lord's discipline. For many of us, the word discipline, or as the KJV says, 'chastening,' brings up feelings of guilt, shame, and punishment. In a stern religious setting, today's Scripture reading might cause us to turn away from God rather than toward Him.
We feel this way because we lack a clear understanding of what it means to be disciplined by the Lord. First, the Greek word used in this passage of Scripture means to ‘educate or train’. Strong's Concordance also says it can mean ‘correction, instruction, and nurture’. Therefore, our call to be 'disciples' shares the same root word as discipline.
The word 'discipline' does not mean punishment for its own sake. Our heavenly Father is not focused on punishing us or showing His disapproval. All of that was handled when Jesus took our sins upon Himself on the cross. Instead, our Father is interested in training us to become more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Part of that process involves pruning away distractions that hinder our ability to fulfill our destiny (John 15:1-2). This process will lead us to 'repent' from our old ways of living. Even the word 'repent' has been given a negative, shame-based meaning in a religious context, though it simply means to change direction or have a change of heart. Romans 2:4 tells us that the 'goodness of God’ leads us to repentance.
Consider how parents interact with their children. What occurs if a child reaches out to touch a hot stove? Does a loving parent step in? Of course, they would do whatever is necessary to teach their child not to touch that hot stove again! In a far more deeply loving way than any earthly parent, our heavenly Father is dedicated to shaping us into the image of His Son.
He disciplines us for our own good. Does it hurt? Sure does! But we must understand that He causes everything to work together for our good (Romans 8:28); however, this doesn’t mean everything is good. Still, our heavenly Father can transform even the worst situations into something that will help us in the long run.
Today, I pray that we all recognize how much our Father's discipline is rooted in His love for us. He has dedicated all the resources of heaven to shape us into the sons and daughters He has envisioned. May we all submit to the Father of our spirits and live an abundant life! (Hebrews 12:9)
Romans 8:28-32
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? (WEB)
7 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. (WEB)
I am always somewhat hesitant to talk about the Lord's discipline. For many of us, the word discipline, or as the KJV says, 'chastening,' brings up feelings of guilt, shame, and punishment. In a stern religious setting, today's Scripture reading might cause us to turn away from God rather than toward Him.
We feel this way because we lack a clear understanding of what it means to be disciplined by the Lord. First, the Greek word used in this passage of Scripture means to ‘educate or train’. Strong's Concordance also says it can mean ‘correction, instruction, and nurture’. Therefore, our call to be 'disciples' shares the same root word as discipline.
The word 'discipline' does not mean punishment for its own sake. Our heavenly Father is not focused on punishing us or showing His disapproval. All of that was handled when Jesus took our sins upon Himself on the cross. Instead, our Father is interested in training us to become more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Part of that process involves pruning away distractions that hinder our ability to fulfill our destiny (John 15:1-2). This process will lead us to 'repent' from our old ways of living. Even the word 'repent' has been given a negative, shame-based meaning in a religious context, though it simply means to change direction or have a change of heart. Romans 2:4 tells us that the 'goodness of God’ leads us to repentance.
Consider how parents interact with their children. What occurs if a child reaches out to touch a hot stove? Does a loving parent step in? Of course, they would do whatever is necessary to teach their child not to touch that hot stove again! In a far more deeply loving way than any earthly parent, our heavenly Father is dedicated to shaping us into the image of His Son.
He disciplines us for our own good. Does it hurt? Sure does! But we must understand that He causes everything to work together for our good (Romans 8:28); however, this doesn’t mean everything is good. Still, our heavenly Father can transform even the worst situations into something that will help us in the long run.
Today, I pray that we all recognize how much our Father's discipline is rooted in His love for us. He has dedicated all the resources of heaven to shape us into the sons and daughters He has envisioned. May we all submit to the Father of our spirits and live an abundant life! (Hebrews 12:9)
Romans 8:28-32
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? (WEB)