I wonder what thoughts come into your head when you hear the word ‘discipline’. Maybe it makes you think back to your childhood and how your parents disciplined you, or maybe you are currently a parent and it makes you think about how you discipline you own kids. Or perhaps it conjures up the idea of extreme authority, legalism or maybe even boredom. However, on reflection, this need not be the case as the Bible shows us that God’s view of discipline is very different and in fact brings freedom and growth in our relationship with him. The aim of a parent in disciplining a child, and as fallen sinners we sometimes get this wrong, is for the good of the child; to help them to learn and stay safe. When a child almost runs into the road and you tell them off, you don’t do it because you are angry with them but because you want them to stay safe.
Our verse for today is Hebrews 12:10b -11 and it says:
“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
for those who have been trained by it.”
These verses highlight some key points that we can take away about discipline. Firstly, discipline if for our good. God doesn’t do it because he is an angry God but because he is a loving God who has our best at heart. But notice the realistic nature of the verse. Just as a child cries when a parent tells them off, the discipline of God upon his children doesn’t seem pleasant at the time but painful. Through that pain, we need to remember that God is working for our good. This is comforting when we are struggling with being disciplined, that there is no expectation that it is going to be a walk in the park.
That being said, it is also showing us, as Romans 5:3-5 also demonstrates, that God has a greater interest in our character, than in our comfort. God uses discipline to refine and purify our character and He shapes us more and more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Through discipline we are made holier, which means we are made more like God since he is Holy. Becoming more like God shows us that discipline is life-changing and life-giving.
So, our prayer must be that despite the difficulty, we must continue to persevere, as it is promised that discipline is fruitful, holding on to the fact that God teaches us the right way because he loves us and wants the best for us.
Proverbs 10:17 says, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life”. We can all find freedom through discipline, not because of who we are, but because of who the discipline is making us more like – the ever-present, living God, who made all of creation. What could be more worthwhile?
Take time to reflect today… Where in your life is God currently disciplining you to make you more like Christ? Do you have an open heart to God’s discipline? Ask God to reveal areas of your life you need to be more disciplined in.
Song for today:
Use this song as a pray to invite God into your life and make you more like Himself. You can listen and sing along to it here.
Beautiful Lord, wonderful saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands
Crafted into Your perfect plan
You gently call me, into Your presence
Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord
To live all of my life through Your eyes
I'm captured by, Your Holy calling
Set me apart
I know You're drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray
Take me, Mould me
Use me, Fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hands
Hold me, Guide me
Lead me, Walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
Prayer for today:
Loving heavenly Father,
We thank you for your great love and care for us. Thank you that you use discipline and hardship in our lives for our good and to make us more like your son, Jesus. During the hardship, will you please help us to keep our eyes fixed upon you and to persevere, knowing that it will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace in our lives.
We pray today that you will show us where we need to put sin to death. Will you gives us teachable hearts and minds?
We pray all this in Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photo by Hello I'm Nik 🎞 on Unsplash
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