LOVE SHOWN THROUGH DISCIPLINE
BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Those whom I love I rebuke and
discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”
(Revelation 3:19)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever considered the reason we discipline our children?
It is partly to help them learn, but it is also because they need our
help, right? Help? Yes, we help them when we discipline them. In
their hearts, they may want to behave, but they need help with their
development of self-control. That’s why parents have such a huge
responsibility to discipline.
Does this make it easier to understand why the Lord disciplines us?
When we are saved, in our hearts we want to live righteously, but
we need help, don’t we?
Discipline is defined as,
“the practice of training people to obey rules or a code
of behavior; using punishment to correct disobedience”
Rebuke is defined as,
“expressing sharp disapproval or criticism
of (someone) because of their behavior or
actions”
The Lord wants us to understand His disapproval of our actions,
and He wants to train us to obey His rules for our behavior.
Some think of God as a divine fly-swatter, waiting for us to land
so that He can zap us for our sins. But that’s not what we see in
His letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3). The pattern of
God’s messages demonstrates a loving heart for wayward people.
He began many of His messages in Revelation by affirming the
good things His people had done. This shows us that when we
do what is good and right, the Lord notices and is pleased.
But He is also concerned about the faults in our lives. His approval
in His messages was often followed by words of reproof. Although
it’s not comfortable to hear Him say things like,
“Nevertheless I have this against you”
(2:4; see vv.14, 20)
it’s important for God to reveal what needs to be changed in our lives.
His actions can move us to the real heart of the matter – repentance.
When the Lord told these churches to repent, He was revealing His
love for wayward saints. His goal was not to condemn, but to restore
them to an intimate fellowship with Him.
And we shouldn’t overlook how He ends each message with a specific
promise for the “overcomers”. Clearly, God has a desire to reward
those who live lives that are pleasing to Him.
ACTION:
How do you feel when you are rebuked and disciplined by the Lord?
Do you resent it, or do you understand how it shows the depth of His
love for you?
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted
to the point of shedding your blood. And have you
completely forgotten this word of encouragement that
addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when He rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His
children. For what children are not disciplined by their
father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes
discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
daughters at all.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit
to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little
while as they thought best; but 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.
(Hebrews 12:4-11)
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to keep my heart open to what
You’re saying to me today. Teach me to understand that
Your rebuke and discipline is an expression of Your love
for me. Help me to feed off of Your love as encouragement
to make the adjustments I need to make in my life. Thank
You for loving me with a greater love than I could ever imagine!”.
BLOG: utvolwoody.wordpress.com
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
Discussion
No comments yet.