Gift of Discipline

By Kyle Blackwell

As a parent, I am firm on my stance for discipline. I received many deserved spankings when I was younger and am very thankful for my parent’s way of upbringing. As you look around this world, it is apparent who was raised with much discipline, and was not so blessed. Unfortunately, my children are growing up in a world that is vastly different than I experienced. No longer do people think about consequences of their own actions, nor do they ponder the consequences others surrounding them have to endure because of their misdeeds.  This world in which we live consists of a very selfish society. Even so, I believe in discipline and the value it instills in my children for the longevity of their life.

I was speaking to one of the pastors at my church regarding a situation I was experiencing. I love his take on fatherly discipline. I go to the Bible for everything because it truly is my main authority. My pastor stated to discipline my children as God disciplines me. This is such a profound statement. However, what does Godly discipline actually look like?

Before we begin to answer this question, I want to start by mentioning the love that stems from punishment. When a kid is reprimanded for their actions, we hope that they will learn from their lack of obedience. However, we often do not see the correction we hope for until many years later. I was the worst at being a distraction in school. While I never really stopped being a class clown, I am now able to see the result of all those spankings in the respect for others that I now possess.  Fast forward to my children, it took a while for my youngest son to learn respect; he is now the most helpful when it comes to my little baby girl and Ana.

Furthermore, it is necessary to mention the importance of the mother and fatherly role in a child’s life, just as Jesus set an example for God’s children. For instance, Jesus once said to treat others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12). However, later on in His ministry, Christ stated we should love others the way He loves us (John 15:12). The type of love He has for us is much greater than the way I want to be treated by others. Honestly, I cannot even begin to fathom the kind of precious love Jesus has for me. How are we able to say to our children we must follow Christ if we cannot live up to the same expectation? If you want for your kids to show respect to others, how do you show respect to them, more importantly, your spouse? Also, the older they get, the more we expect of them. 

This road of Christianity, and the way God disciplines His children, is much like we see above. The Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). It may be interesting to start with this verse, but I often think of the ways God held Israel more accountable than any other nation. Even the writer of Psalms 73 noticed how other ungodly countries were gaining in strength and wealth while God’s own people were suffering. Of course, Israel was suffering due to their disobedience. Why did God hold Israel more accountable than anyone else?

In order to answer this question, I would like to present another question. Why did God incorporate the Ark of the Covenant? Inside this ark there were items such as the Ten Commandments (which God personally wrote with His own hand), a jar of manna (the Heavenly food given to the Israelites in the desert) and Aaron’s rod (which played a role in many miracles). So, what was the significance? All these items were preserved in order to provide remembrance to the Israelites of the many ways God supplied and protected His people. They saw the waters part on dry land, not once, but twice. They were led out of captivity from the strongest army in the land at that time, Egypt. They had been witness to miracle after miracle, blessing after blessing.

How did all these miracles affect this nation’s attitude? Well, they complained about the food God had provided. The Lord was infuriated and sent venomous snakes that killed many of their brothers and sisters. After all this death and anguish, the people went to Moses and begged for him to speak to God, they wanted to be freed from the snakes. Being the loving Father He is, the Lord commanded Moses to form a bronze snake on a pole, that whomever may look at the sculpture after being bitten, they will be saved. The cool thing about this snake on a pole is we still see this in the medical field today. This is the E.M.T. symbols found on every medical uniform, ambulance and hospital. Even more exciting, this was foreshadowing for what Jesus would do for the sins of the world over 4,000 years later, by forgiving the sins is many based on their faith.

There were many other cases of the Almighty showing His anger for the sins and grumblings the Israelites exemplified, even though they were taken care of in the wilderness. Many of them died in the desert. Also, many were unable to enter the Promised Land due to them being scared to overtake a city, not trusting God would have their back. (Deuteronomy 1:19-46)

This nation was shown over and over the provision and love God had for them, but they continued to go against Him. Again, to whom much is given, much is also required. This people saw the mighty works of the Lord, yet still chose not to believe. God does punish more harshly when you know His holy way. Note, it is important to recognize the difference between punishment and discipline.

The way God treated the Israelites in the desert, 3,000 killed after the golden calf and many killed by the venomous snakes, this was punishment. We also see this in Hebrews 6.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. -Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭

When one possesses such knowledge of the Goodness of God and Grace of Jesus, yet publicly deny His diety, they are not welcome in the Kingdom of God. This kind of person is saying that the Blood Jesus shed was not enough for them. Jesus is no different from anyone else who dies. This is exactly what the people at Jesus’ execution were exclaiming.

“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” -Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭42‬

By the way, we must know the punishment, or damnation,  exemplified in Hebrews 6:4-6 is not judged upon those who has true, lasting faith in Christ. This punishment is for those who once publicly acknowledged what Jesus accomplished on that old rugged cross, which was the forgiveness of sins and a public spectacle of the conquering of demons and their strongholds in the heavenly realms (Colossians 2:13-15), only to later reject the work of Christ. However, they never really knew Him.

Now that we know what the punishment of God looks like, let us focus on the discipline of God. This is where we explore Gods true Love. To understand the discipline God lovingly besties upon His followers, you must see Him in His true nature, your Heavenly Father. For me to explain God’s Discipline and how they are of a fatherly origin, I am going to allow the scripture to do the talking.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1). Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands “(John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬). However, if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬). This is where there beauty of God’s discipline begins to take shape. If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins (James‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭20‬). “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in (Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭12‬). Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death (Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭13‬-‭14‬). 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 (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭8‬), 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. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭13‬)

God’s Discipline is l like that of a father, because He is our Father. He disciplines in order to prepare us for Heaven. This is a road to righteousness. While none of us will reach full sanctification until the day we enter the pearly gates, we are to shed the things of our fleshly nature, put them off, and walk in the way of Jesus. And when God said, “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭2‬), He meant that we are to be set apart.

Just the fact that God disciplined you is proof you belong to Him. Without this sort of correction, He would not be a father at all. Thankfully, I have a God who Loves me. He walks with me and He talks with me. There have been many times in my short Christian walk that God has corrected me in my errors; this is how I know Godly Discipline is a gift.

 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge -Hosea 4:6