DISCIPLINE IS NEEDFUL
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) 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.
No one really likes discipline. If you love your child, you will discipline them. We are God’s children, and He loves us, so He disciplines us. Proverbs 3:11-12 says, ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.” It is interesting that throughout the Word of God both things appear: a natural father correcting a son whom he loves, and our Heavenly Father correcting us because He loves us. When I see a parent refusing to discipline their child, for whatever reason, it bothers me because I know, according to the Word of God, they don’t love them like they should. When a natural parent refuses to discipline their child, there are reasons. As a child, they could have been abused, or felt like they were raised by a military commander, or they have never been taught, or had a bad example, and the list goes on; but the truth is, if you don’t discipline your children, according to the Word of God, you don’t really love them the way God loves you. When God, our Father, disciplines us, it is always for our good. When we are disciplined, it is not enjoyable for Him or for us, but it must be done. If we are never disciplined by God, it may be because we are not really His child, (not yet born again) or we have so hardened our hearts that we cannot hear or see His discipline from the Word of God anymore. God disciplines all His children.
What is the point of God’s discipline? Is it because it thrills Him to let us know He is large and in charge? No; it is because He loves us and knows we must change, or a consequence is coming because of our current thoughts, words, and actions. Revelation 3:19 says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” He disciplines, chastens, and rebukes us because He loves us and, in the area He is disciplining us in, we must come to a place of repentance or we will suffer some consequences, not from God but because our current thoughts, words, and actions will end up costing us. When He disciplines us, we should repent. A little bit of parenting advice, when you discipline your children, they should repent to God and to you, and not just be sorry they got caught and you are upset. Repentance towards God is what is necessary. The Word says godly sorrow works repentance. When your child is sorry to God and to you, it is a sign of a change. To not discipline gives them no chance of repentance. As a parent, you are setting them up for failure before God if you do not discipline them. Discipline them! Not in an abusive way, but you need to discipline them for their own good. You should see that in your own life. When God corrects you and disciplines you, He is trying to bring you to a place of repentance. Why? So, you can have a harvest of right living, and you can produce the fruits of righteousness. One final thought, discipline from God never brings condemnation. If received from the love of God, it will produce freedom and right living in your life.