Is God disciplining you ?

Friday May 7, 2021

Is God disciplining you ?

"The Lord corrects whom He loves, and He punishes all whom He recognizes as His sons." Hebrews 12. 6

The Bible tells us : “Have you forgotten the encouragement that God gives you as his children ? My child, do not despise the Lord's correction, and do not lose heart when He takes you back. Indeed, the Lord corrects the one whom He loves, and He punishes all those whom He recognizes as his sons" (Hebrews 12.5-6). The Greek word which is usually translated by the word chastise means : to educate by force ! If God disciplines you, it's because He wants to teach you something important. Instead of discouraging you, it should make you rejoice, for it is proof that you are truly one of His children ; “If you are exempt from the correction in which all have a share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Hebrews 12.8). RT Kendall claims that God uses three methods to discipline us.

1- Internal discipline. God speaks to us through His word, and sometimes it can be difficult to accept : “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword ; penetrating until it separates "soul and spirit, joints and marrow ; she judges the feelings and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Sometimes what He asks of us like this can cost us a lot, but this discipline is actually the best and solves many of our problems. When God speaks, the correct answer is : “Here I am, Lord, to do Your will.”

2- External discipline. This is plan B that God uses when we are reluctant to listen to Him through His Word (Plan A). This was the case for Jonas. God told him to go to Nineveh. Jonas refuses. He boards a boat to go far from God, ends up weathering a storm and finds himself in the belly of a large fish. So “Jonah... prayed...” (Jonah 2.1). Often times God has to get our attention in one way or another because we have neglected to pray. The method worked with Jonas. He left in the direction of Nineveh.

3- Terminal discipline which can lead to physical death. After detailing the sins committed by the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11.20-29), the apostle writes : “This is why there are many infirm and sick among you, and many are dead” (v. 30). Do not wait until you reach this stage of disobedience to react !

Source (His Word for Today)