My mom has always been a disciplinarian, and so I wonder how come she is so permissive to my playmates whenever they come over to our house. She is fine with them not eating vegetables, or drinking juice first even before eating lunch. She is okay with them rough housing or being too boisterous, when I remember that she tells me not to be loud nor make big movements when I am in someone else’s house. My mom is also fine with them opening our refrigerator, and helping themselves with the snacks, when I particularly remember her telling me to NEVER open other people’s refs, nor help myself to a snack in their home.
Decades after, and as a mom of three kids, I now finally know the answer. Mama was so strict with me because I was her own child. She is not disciplining my playmates not because she is trying to make herself appear like a good mom. She is not disciplining them simply because they are not her children.
It is the same principle our Heavenly Father imposes. He disciplines us because He loves us and we are His own children.
“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
One of the biggest mistakes we could ever make as followers of Jesus, is that we think we will be exempted to challenges. Since we are still bound to sin, we are still bound to face the consequences of our sins. And sometimes, the Lord allows us to experience the effect of our disobedience to call us to repent, and reform ourselves, and endeavor to be more like Him.
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2
Moreover, the inevitable hardships that come with our earthly journey are meant to instill in us the discipline of gratitude and total dependence on Him so that we can have an unshakeable faith that will be the foundation of our life.
“Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!” Hebrews 12:28-29
And since our foremost identity as individuals is that we are a child of God, and heirs to His promise of eternal life, we are to accept God’s discipline upon us.
“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live” Hebrews 12:9
And so whenever we see people who seem to prosper and not get rebuked by the Lord, we should not feel bad. We should instead look at our life’s “pruning season” as a season of learning, where we could grow to become better Christians.
“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.” Proverbs 24:19-20
We should also appreciate it as God’s personal work in our lives. He wants our character to improve so that we can abound in love, and enjoy the abundant life that He offers. He also wants us to be better people who can work for His Kingdom, by leading others to Him.
“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.” Hebrews 12:11
Like a parent, God may discipline us in many ways. He can confront us with a rebuke from a passage we read from our bible reflection, hear from a preaching, or through a message from a Godly person. Like an earthly dad, He can also “spank” us by allowing the natural consequences of our sins to run its course. He can also discipline us by showing goodness to us, so that we could realize the wrong things that we are doing.
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness,forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4
What He won’t do though is to give up on us. Yes, He may also choose to just let us be, if our hearts are too hard. But we can count on Him to wait for us to come back to Him and repent, once we get to our senses and realize the wrong things we have done. Like the Father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, our Heavenly Father will welcome us in His warm embrace once we decide to come home and seek His forgiveness.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Hebrews 12:4-11 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How do you take God’s disciplining in your life?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for wanting what is best for me. Thank you for disciplining me and loving me enough to want me to enjoy the abundant life that You offer. Give me the grace to accept the pruning that you do, so that I will grow more like you. Amen.
