+DEV+ The Necessity of Discipline

Date: February 4, 2014 5:06 AM
Topic: +DEV+  The Necessity of Discipline

The Necessity of Discipline

"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)

Scripture Focus: Hebrews 12:4-15

Are there any words in Scripture more readily agreed with than "No discipline seems pleasant at the time"? Whether it's a spanking to improve behavior or a diet to improve the waistline, who likes the discipline when it is happening? The word translated "discipline" can also mean physical "training," the metaphor the Hebrews author uses.

Several students at the high school where I teach are on the track team and are beginning training for the season. Most of them are sore, tired, and grumpy. Some already talk of quitting, saying the training is just too hard. But one young man, Cliff, has a different attitude. He admits the training is difficult, yet he looks forward to it. Why? Because he hopes to go to college on a track scholarship and knows the training is necessary if he is to stand a chance at reaching his goal.

God's "goal" in disciplining us is "that we might share in his holiness" (vs.10). Our training is sure to involve hardship. Let's fix our eyes on our front-runner, Jesus, who endured the discipline of the cross for us.

Insight:"Thank you for putting me in your 'training program' and for Jesus who already endured and conquered it for me!"


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