Sharing in His Holiness
by Jeanne Rogers
"It is for discipline that you endure..." (Hebrews 12: 7a)
What comes to mind when you hear the word discipline? Do you flinch, expecting harsh correction or pain? That’s a common misconception about God’s chastening, but the writer of Hebrews encourages us to submit cheerfully to the discipline of the Lord because His discipline is always right and good for us.
“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12: 11)
Beth Moore says, “Discipline is the Lord’s way of teaching profitable lessons in painful ways.” However, discipline doesn’t have to be harsh correction or stern reproof if we maintain a teachable spirit. It can be training and instruction that produces righteousness in our lives. “But He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” (Hebrews 12: 10b) What a great goal for 2005 . . . to share in the holiness of our Lord!
The Bible Dictionary defines discipline as, “Learning that molds character and enforces correct behavior.” Parenting has these goals and verses 5-8 says that God deals with us as His sons. Discipline is the proof of His love for us, and we should ask Him what He is trying to teach us.
Although his advice was misapplied to Job’s situation, one of Job’s well-meaning friends offered some truthful advice about God’s chastening. “But consider the joy of those corrected by God. Do not despise the chastening of the almighty when you sin. For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands heal. He will rescue you again and again so no evil can touch you.” (Job 5; 17-19, NLT)
Parents are supposed to train children to be obedient and make right choices. In the same way, our Heavenly Father desires that His children submit and choose His way of living. Fortunately, He gave us everything we would need to get the training and knowledge of His plan. God not only taught us how to live through His holy word, He sent His perfect, obedient son as an example for us to follow. If called upon, the Holy Spirit will empower us to respond properly to God’s correction and make us partakers in His Divine nature.
“…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:3,4)
There are some practical steps for submitting to His training. Reflect on how you have responded to correction in the past. Did you get defensive, angry, or resentful? Perhaps you accepted it with self-pity, claiming you didn’t deserve it. Neither of these reactions reveals a teachable spirit.
The correct response is to accept God’s discipline with gratitude, receiving it as divine correction. James 4:10 says that when you bow down and admit your absolute dependence on Him, He will lift you up and give you honor.
This Week
For 2005, lets move beyond living in a defensive, personal survival mode. As the disciples of Jesus, we learn by following and submitting to training and discipline. At the end, we will share in His Holiness--and that can be in this life, not just in heaven.
Prayer
"Lord, I want to apply all diligence to my faith that I may supply moral excellence and knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and most of all love. For your Word says that if these qualities are mine, I will not be rendered useless or unfruitful and that I will lack nothing. (2 Peter 1:5-9) I will not reject your discipline but I will be instructed by it so that I will be saved from destruction and escape folly. (Proverbs 19: 18; 22: 15)"
