Godly Discipline

"As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?" -Hebrews 12:7If you are a parent, would you say nothing while your young child stole an item from a store? Or, would you chastise him not if he caused purposeful injury to another child?

The role of parent is never easy because, as the older and wiser individual in the family, we are given the great responsibility to see to it our children are raised properly. Not only do we care for our children's physical needs, but we have an obligation to nurture our child's spiritual and emotional needs as well.

So too does God keep watch over His children's health. We may be fifty years old, but in our Heavenly Father's eyes, we are still His little ones who are deserving of His love and care. Like any truly loving parent, God does not allow our misdeeds to go unnoticed, or this would teach us that there is a reward in sin. Certainly, evil, can at times, provide a temporary pleasure, but it is never too long before truth reveals itself, and flirting with evil is like biting in to a piece of fruit which looks bright and shiny, but is actually rotten and full of worms.

God's desire is that His children know peace and joy, and there is no true joy or peace in sin. Thus, when God sees us involved in evil, He warns us by allowing us to feel just guilt. Some people think guilt is a bad thing, but in actuality, it is a wonderful feeling because it tugs at our heart to let us know we are doing something we ought not be doing. For example, our physical body might be desiring to engage in an extra-marital affair, but our spirit shudders at the notion, knowing full well that such an action is sin, and could cause the destruction of our marriage.

Many times, however, we don't listen to our spirit, and we begin to walk toward sin. Our Heavenly Father then has no choice but to try to get our attention in an attempt to warn us, and steer us back to the right path. Sadly, we often don't listen, and we continue to listen to the thrill of our flesh, and the temporary high the sin provides. God then must speak louder to us; anything to get our attention. Sometimes, all we need is a tap on the shoulder from God, while other times, we need a jolt strong enough to knock us off our feet!

When God disciplines us, we should celebrate, because this is our Heavenly Father's way of showing love for His children. God knows that the path of sin only leads to death and destruction, and He cares for us too much to see that occur.

If God is tapping you on the shoulder today... trying to warn you about something that is bringing Him and you dishonor, won't you listen? It is never to late to turn back from sin, and it is never too early to commit your life to God.

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr