Proverbs 3:11-12
Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
When a sinner is saved and justified by God’s grace, he is adopted into the family of God. He becomes a son of God and is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). God’s love is set upon him and He will express this love through discipline and reproof (Hebrews 12:6). This is similar to the discipline that an earthly father will dispense to a son in whom he delights. This proverb exhorts God’s children to not despise His discipline or grow weary of His reproof. The Lord disciplines those he loves. While this will sometimes be unpleasant and possibly painful, the purpose of discipline is not punishment but rather training in righteousness. It could come in the form of a heightened conviction of sin along with regret and guilt or, in more extreme sin, it could come in the form of a restraining injury. Being exposed and embarrassed, as well as church discipline, could also be the result of such discipline. Whatever form it takes, it is meant to restrain and get the attention of God’s children before their sin grows into more severe and damaging consequences.
Therefore, believers should not despise or grow weary of this discipline and, in fact, should be thankful because God only disciplines those he loves. Those whom God does not love with the same enduring love of his adopted children, he gives up to pursue their lusts and impurities (Romans 1:24). These lusts of the flesh may provide pleasure for a season, but the wages of sin is death and the end result is not only spiritual ruin but also temporal ruin from the ravages of sin. Sin may be wrapped in pleasure, but it provides its own punishment. Many ruined lives languish in prison as a result of sin and unrighteousness.
Praise God that those who accept His discipline will also finish the race and gain the prize just like football players that accept the discipline required to be a successful winning team.
6 comments:
A good message. Chastening, painful but good.
Thanks Mark. BTW that photo taken in 1974
God works on the mind and heart, and this is where the pain is deepest, and the correction burns with intense heat.
But it subsides, and we are a bit purer for His glory. We shine a bit brighter for His kingdom.
But when I'm going through it, I am very discouraged, but never to despair, for the Holy Spirit abides, and He is greater than our heart's most painful trial, and/or discipline from our Father in heaven, who loves us more than we could ever know.
Wayne, what's the story with the football team with M S on their helmets?
I sure do remember playing in high school after looking at that photo. And the first half hour of calisthenics was grueling in the hot August sun, where we had three practice sessions.
But it prepared us for the regular season.
Don,
Thanks. Yes, I remember those hot August days of high school football practice as well. The MS is for Mississippi State. The winner of the game between Miss. State and Ole Miss gets to keep the same trophy until the other team wins it back. This photo was taken very late in the game with a big lead in 1974.
Wayne, very true. God will chasten His children to bring them back.
Is it possible however that God would actually chasten His child by shortening their life span? (IE: untimely death)
Jim,
Thanks. I think the key to this answer might be Romans 8:28. If such a death accomplished more than just punishment such as being used for God's greater purposes, then probably so. However, I do not think it is within our power to determine God's purposes for the unfolding of events in specific cases. I am just giving my opinion, but I do not think it would be just for the purpose of chastening. I think of the passage, "He that began a good work in you will.........."
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