God's Love and Discipline

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:19-20 (ESV)

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 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 at all.9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:5-11 (NLT)

God’s Love for us is shown in His discipline of us. Paul was right when he says, “what father that loves his child does not discipline them.” In the discipline that is given we are also given direction on how best to live our lives. It’s not easy or comfortable to give or receive discipline. We have all heard parents say, “this hurts me more than it does you.” I always thought that was a lie until the first time I had to spank my children. In giving discipline there is moment when you understand why you are doing it. You can see the direction they are headed and you want to do everything you can to change that direction; because you love them too much, to stand by and watch them make the same mistakes you might have made. In our society today we are no longer expected to discipline our children. It has become a crime to provide discipline in any form and it is only getting worse. So that is why the world has such a hard time understanding a God who loves us so much that He provides discipline to those who He loves. When we discipline our children with love helping to guide and direct them we are being obedient to God. He calls for us to train up our children. That is our responsibility as parents not the school or church. Each of us has a responsibility to God and to those He has entrusted to our care to Love them as He does and provide discipline and guidance to them for their walk with God. Know today that God loves you and He still provides discipline to those He loves. Allow His love and discipline to guide you as you walk in the Light of His Word.