I think there are not many of us who particularly like the word “discipline”. Knowing that God chastens those He loves, I am thankful for the times He disciplined and instructed me. However, much like when I was child and my parents would reprimand me for misbehaving, I don’t enjoy those times of correction even though I see they are coming from a place of love and wanting what’s best for me.

What does’ God’s Word tell us about discipline? In the Bible we are told over and over again how God corrects and chastises those whom He loves. He does this because He loves us as His children (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6) and He wants us to live godly lives so that we are not condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32 ). As God’s children, our stay on earth is only temporary and Jesus says in John 17:14-19 that as Christians, we “are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”.  We are told “..you shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:6) . Consequently, as God’s own children we are required to live our lives that are faithful to Him and obedient of His commandments. We are ambassadors for Christ until He returns again, and are called to live our lives in a manner that reflects His teachings and values. For how we can help to share God’s good news of Salvation and introduce other people to Jesus when they cannot see His values reflected in us?

So we can see from the Bible that God wants and expects us, as His children to live according to His Word. When we disobey God or become lax about obeying His commandments, does He say “well that’s too bad, you’ve messed up now, so no more Salvation for you. Better find yourself another family”. No! He shows us where we’ve stumbled and corrects our behavior to ensure that, when He does come back again to receive His people unto Himself, we, His children will remain with Him. Sometimes the process of our seeing this may be painful but He wants to save us from an even greater pain – being condemned to hell. The enemy knows he only has a short time left on earth so he wants to destroy as many of God’s people as he can.

The good news is that as Christians, we can trust that if we believe in God and obey His commandments we cannot be stolen from Him. In John 10:27-29, Jesus says “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand“. We literally have to choose to walk away from God in order for us to lose our salvation.

When He was on earth, Jesus Christ endured the same trials we face and was without sin. For us, it can be difficult to live in constant obedience of God’s Word and we sometimes stumble into sin. During those times, we must ensure with gratefulness God’s discipline as His correction is a blessing demonstrating His love for us.

I hope to become more vigilant in my daily life, to live out God’s teachings.  I am grateful for God’s love in chastening me when needed to ensure I do not wander away from His fold. I hope to always be thankful for His chastening although they can be painful at the time.

~ God bless you 

“My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you” ~ Proverbs 3:11 

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“For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom He delights” ~ Proverbs 3:12 

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“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.”~ Hebrews 12: 6 

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“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” ~ Job 5:17 

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“Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law” ~Psalm 94:12 

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“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you.” ~ Hebrews 12:5

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“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” ~ Proverbs 10:17

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 “But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:32 

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“Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” ~ Hebrews 12:7 

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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 

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“Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” ~1 Timothy 1:20