The Discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5)
For Believers, discipline is NOT PUNITIVE but redemptive (corrective, protective)
Motive: God’s Love: Hebrews 12:6; 1 John 2:2
The discipline of the Lord (correction) can “feel like” punishment. (Hebrews 12:11) (Remember and Trust God’s motives. This will be tested!
Hebrews 12:5b: rebuke: address inappropriate actions, words, attitudes.
Blessings of God’s Correction: Hebrews 12:7-11
Love, honor, treasures His child
Preserved life (Hebrews 12:9)
Partakers of benefits of holiness
Holiness: set apart to the Lord and separated from the evil one; the flesh, the world’s values, and ways of thinking, speaking, choosing
The Holy Spirit is the Agent of conviction of our sin: (John 16:8,9)
Our sin’s root is our unbelief: i.e: fear (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:16-18)
Anxiety: (Philippians 4:4-7)
The heart of God is that our discipline, correction is centered in our internal direction and correction! (The heart is “control center” of our lives!) [Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, 19]
“Godly Sorrow”: true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11) [Recognize how our choices affect the offended and turn away!]
If we won’t listen and take corrective action internally, God may allow/direct correction from the “outside”.
The Relationship Between Correction/Discipline and the spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7-9)
God’s Grace to intervene (bring out) and to sustain (bring through) won’t allow us to sink, or skip the process!
Withdrawn intimacy, distance; turbulence in relationships, resources, etc.
Corrective words from others
Hindrance from the enemy: if we engage in viewing, thinking, acting in line with the devil’s territory, he will start operating in our space. (Spiritually illegal but given access by our cooperation or negligence) (Ephesians 4:27)
This interference from the enemy can take various forms, i.e. physical, mental/emotional, relational, financial, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 5:15) (Just because we are attacked by the enemy doesn’t necessarily mean we are “out of order” in our relationship, fellowship with the Lord!)
REMEMBER: His correction is from a heart of Perfect Love, for our benefit!
✸FAITH is in my spirit. It doesn’t come from my mind. Faith in my spirit requires exercise
to grow! (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5,6)
