“A Father’s Discipline”

“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:4-11

Dear Church, we have a heavenly Father that loves us so much to discipline us to have a life that glorifies Him and is at peace with our Lord.  Do not resist the Lord’s discipline, it is for your benefit and your future joy.  Allow the discipline to penetrate your very heart and soul.  Admit your wicked motive and the sin that so easily entangles you openly to the Lord in your secret prayer.  There is no mortification of sin without Godly sorrow over your sin.   Pastor Mark