June 3rd – Proverbs 3: The Discipline of the Lord

“My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” – Proverbs 3:11-12

I believe that many Christians think that under the New Covenant there is no such thing as discipline… well, they are WRONG. Discipline isn’t as much about Covenant as it is about a relationship with the Father. God is a good father is disciplines His kids, therefore, GOOD father’s discipline. Some people think that disciplining your kids means you don’t love them, but the opposite is true!

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” – Proverbs 13:24

If you DON’T discipline your kids, you HATE them, but if you love them, you discipline them. Why is it that so many Christians talk about God’s love, while neglecting the Lord’s discipline? If God loves you as much as you claim (while you go around living a selfish, sinful life), He would be disciplining you!

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." – Hebrews 12:5-6

When we discipline our children here on earth, we use the rod of correction. It’s a very simple concept that says, “wrong behavior = PAIN”. All the psychobabble in the world can’t negate the simple logic involved here:

“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” – Proverbs 22:15

So what is the discipline of the Lord? Obviously, God isn’t reaching down from Heaven with his Cosmic Heavenly Rod and spanking us. No, the Bible tells us:

“Endure hardship as discipline;” – Hebrews 12:7

In the New Testament, this word “hardship” is also called: chastening, education, training, correction. So the Lord is telling us to endure this correction as it is from the Lord. The word “endure” means: stay under, remain in.

Bottom line, DON’T RUN from correction and rebuke, receive it! If we don’t, I’m afraid the outcome is unfavorable:

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” – Hebrews 12:7-8

LIFE LESSON:

A God that "loves" you SO MUCH that He doesn’t discipline you isn’t the God of the Bible.