Hebrews 12:4 -11 MSG
My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
Question#1 - What’s the difference between punishment and training?
Punishment - Pain/suffering inflicted on someone because of a crime or offense - A sentence/penalty/fine/punishment/payment
Training - Activity that leads to skilled behavior, the process of disciplining, and behavior. Training prepares us, teaches us, gives us precise skills, and develops our abilities to prosper and flourish.
Question #2 - How has God been training me?
