Welcome God’s Discipline

When my sons were growing up, it was my right, even my responsibility, to correct them when they did something wrong. I didn’t have that right with someone else’s child (although I wish I did at times). It’s someone’s right and privilege only with their own children. And it’s a right they ought to exercise.

The same is true with God. He corrects and disciplines those who are His.

The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible says, “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. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child” (12:5–6 NLT).

It’s frightening to think that someone could be tremendously exposed to God’s truth yet remain in—and even become strengthened in—unbelief. A perfect example of this is Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus handpicked to be His disciple.

Judas watched as Jesus walked on the water and raised Lazarus from the dead. He witnessed blind men seeing and deaf people hearing. He saw Jesus heal people who had been afflicted with the dreaded disease of leprosy. He saw and heard it all, but his heart became even more hardened. And of his own volition, he betrayed the Lord.

The Bible tells us, “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God” (1 John 3:10 NLT).

Therefore, if you find yourself immediately being disciplined by God when you start to cross a line, if you find that deep guilt sets in when you have sinned against God, then rejoice.

Rejoice over being disciplined and feeling a deep guilt? Absolutely. These are reminders that you are indeed a child of God.