February 20, 2013
Nobody Likes It – But Everybody Needs It
Have you ever met a perfect person?
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:6-11
“[Discipline] Whipping is like laudanum: You have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.”
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
The Biblical principles of ‘sparing the rod – spoiling the child:’ has fallen out of favor with our modern culture. The ideal approach to discipline now seems to require finding an approach that brings reflection without condemnation and correction without chastisement so that the individual in need of being disciplined finds the experience to be uplifting and the interchange leaves them feeling better about themselves. This approach to behavior modification goes a long way towards explaining many of the social, moral, ethical and maybe even some of the economic problems we face in our world. The problem with this approach is that it is not God’s way, thus it is not the right way.
The truth of the matter is this: nobody likes the proverbial ‘woodshed experience.’ But there is not one person alive who has not needed and would not have benefited from one or more such experiences in their developmental years. This same principal holds true for our spiritual upbringing as well. The only difference between physical discipline and spiritual discipline is that God is not governed by man made laws and social regulations that restrict and codify His ability to discipline His children. He can take the Holy paddle of His righteousness and He can apply the ‘rod of His correction’ to the spiritual backsides of His children and there is no law against it. The fact is: this is probably the most effective means by which most of us get His point; more often than not.
Please don’t misunderstand my point: I am in no way endorsing or advocating excessive physical abuse that would cause harm or injury: but I do believe punishments administered with the same degree of compassion love and concern for well being that God has for His children, would not damage our children either.
None of us like God’s punishments: but if we want Him to truly love us – then we need to anticipate that we are going to be the recipients of such corrections: because there is not a person among us who at some time does not need it.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I would like to believe I am never disobedient enough to require extreme discipline from you: but I know better and so do you. But I also realize that when you do have to discipline your children the adage that indicates it is either just as, or maybe even more painful for you is true: so help me be quick to respond to your warnings so that I won’t have to put either one of us through the need for more severe measures.
No comments:
Post a Comment