God Loves to Discipline

Hebrews 12:5-11 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, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 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 our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 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 is encouraging the church to persevere, to fix their eyes on Jesus, so they will remain faithful to their Savior and the church’s mission. He wants them to understand the wondrous gift God has given to them. But economic, religious, social and political opposition threaten the new church and the hearts of each new believer. Where’s the joy in our salvation when so many people oppose you? Hebrews answer is the joy is knowing God loves you enough to strengthen you.
   The Hebrews author teaches that hardship is an effective tool of God’s discipline. He proves it with a wisdom teaching from Proverbs 3:11-12 do not despise the Lord's discipline…the Lord disciplines those he loves.  
   But was the church then and is the church now persecuted because God was correcting them? Do challenges in our personal life today indicate God is disciplining us?
   Again, the answer is found in our faith life. Are we faithful to God’s Word? A lack of faith will lead us away from God. And the Bible tells us God, the Father, will discipline his disobedient church.
   One place we can read this is in the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3. Jesus says specifically to the churches in Ephesus, Pergamum and Thyatira that they must repent, or God will correct them. Also, 1 Corinthians is Paul’s letter to discipline the church in Corinth because of its several public sins and division. The Lord disciplines his church and each of us with rebukes and correction from pastors, teachers and his Holy Word. When we hear or read something that disturbs our hearts and awakens us to aa sin, it’s a good indication the Lord is teaching you to reject your sin and turn to him.
   We don’t like being wrong. People have said they don’t like coming to church to hear about sin. That means they don’t want correction and discipline. They are rejecting God’s love.      Yes, God loves us enough to tell us what is right, so we will can be in true fellowship with him.
   Hardships will also come from events or circumstances that have nothing to do with our Christian life. Hard things happen to us because the world is under sin’s curse. Yet we must respond to these challenges with a steadfast faith. In frustration we can say, “This is too much for me.” And let go of our commitment to Christ and his church. Or in faith we can say, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Hardships will still bring pain and loss. But God wants us to respond to turn to him in these difficulties with a greater faith in his immediate and eternal care over us.
   Life is a journey toward God. Be aware of how he may be correcting you to love him more deeply. This will lead to a greater joy and confidence in your salvation.