THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
Responding Properly to Discipline and Correction
By J. Steven Lang
CBN.com
-- Being "nonjudgmental" is considered a virtue these days. Odd, isn't
it, since people hire golf pros and personal fitness trainers to critique and
give advice? The golf pros know that the people they critique have the desire
to improve their game, so they ask for help. "Tell me what I'm doing wrong. I
want to do better." We say this so easily to a sports trainer but don't like the
idea of a "morality pro," disciplining us and correcting our mistakes. We even
resist the idea of a God who acts in this way. But that is exactly the
kind of God revealed in the Bible. He wants us to do better, to improve, to show
more love to him and to other people. God is one who loves, and genuine love involves
discipline. "Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines
you to help you. "So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his
ways and fearing him." Deuteronomy 8:5-6 "Consider the joy of those corrected
by God! Do not despise the chastening of the Almighty when you sin. For though
he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal." Job 5:17-18
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and
discipline. Proverbs 1:7 The LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father
corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12 Don't bother rebuking
mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all
the more. Proverbs 9:8 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will
be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:32 A single rebuke does more for
a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. Proverbs
17:10 Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made
from finest gold. Proverbs 25:12 It is better to be criticized by a wise
person than to be praised by a fool! Ecclesiastes 7:5 When we are judged
and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians
11:32 Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they
produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't
look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we
have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to
come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Have you entirely forgotten
the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't
ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects
you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts
as his children." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating
you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If
God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are
illegitimate and are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly
fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the
discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers
disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline
is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness.
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening -- it is painful! But afterward
there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this
way. Hebrews 12:5-12 See also Patience. Related
article: Steps to Peace with God Read
other teaching sheets from CBN.com.
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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