Discipline

STUDY: #882-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: DECEMBER 22 @ 28, 2015

TOPIC: "Discipline" Hebrews 12:11 "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." Discipline is a set of rules for behavior with the purpose of maintaining order. It makes us constant. Discipline is the "method", "guide" and "knowledge" of behavior. It is the right attitude toward how to behave. Discipline is for men to be achievers. It is self-control. Discipline is not enjoyable, much less something to make us laugh because when it is applied sadness overpowers us. One's face contorts, the hands twist, and the heart beats so fast. Whew! What burning sensation penetrates the body when we are subjected to discipline! A man who’s being disciplined wants to break down, and protest; refusing it. The person is being torn apart. No correction is pleasant. It is painful. However, those who exercise it, later reap a happy harvest of a holy life! Any word of correction hurts; no matter the good intentions behind it. It seems to undermine our reputation of "honorable" people. It may not seem like it, but in God’s design discipline is good. When we are disciplined great shame, pain and tears come with it. This is not in vain. A bit of suffering now later results in a holier life, and a more intimate communion with our heavenly Father. As Spurgeon said, "What do I not owe to the crucible and the furnace, the bellows that have blown up the coals, and the hand which has thrust me into the heat? Affliction is the best bit of furniture in my house." Discipline leads us to the best, not the worst. Proverbs 15:32 "Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding." He who refuses correction despises his soul. When you reject the fact that you have to change, you are putting your life at risk; for you know you have to choose the best path. Today's man has a big problem: nothing means anything. There are no consequences or losses that matter. There are no ruins that worry. Bad choices that are not rectified can lead to dangerous, and even fatal situations. But discipline is for every aspect of our life: for prayer, the Word, sanctification, and to congregate. If we are not disciplined in these things we are at risk; dangerous and fatal situations will come. During adversity shame will come, and that will be much stronger than what could’ve been with discipline. The future pain will be very unfortunate. He who heeds correction gains understanding, stays away from evil ways, and follows good paths. He will have good! Hebrews 12: 5-8 "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." God gives us a set of rules so that there is order in our lives; so that we are consistent. So that you may be triumphant in all, and not stumble. We are children; as a parent disciplines a child, so is our Father with us. Endure, abide discipline for our own formation (Vs. 7). We need to form, in order to reach the end of this race we have to be disciplined. Are we going to act as our old creature who only led us to lose everything good in our lives? Of course not! God treats us like children! And every child has to be disciplined by their parent. If we do not receive the chastening of the Lord perhaps it’s because we are not His legitimate children (Vs. 8).

We must be patient, and withstand under the weight of adverse circumstances in order to learn. We must abide and endure as good children; with our head bowed down. Human beings are very arrogant, and clumsy; and do not know what to do when we are being disciplined. But the reason for enduring chastening is because it is for our education. By making us pass (or allowing us to pass) through the tribulation, God has the purpose of forming us, of purifying, and guiding us on the right track. He treats us like children, so that we behave as such; as children in the home of a FATHER WHO IS THREE TIMES HOLY! Only bad parents would leave their poor children without discipline. The sacred author says that ALL of God's children have gone through this discipline (Vs 8). Therefore, the professed children of God who have not been disciplined have every reason to believe that they are not a true child of God, but a bastard; an intruder in the family. So, it's a very bad sign when all goes well for us, and nobody or nothing bothers us; this is reason for us to tremble. Then God is not disciplining us, and that only happens to those who are not children! Let us love God as children, and always gratefully receive His discipline. Amen.