by Todd Hamilton, Lead Pastor, Elevation Church, Highland Village
Discipline. This time of year, it’s easy to be turned off by the mere mention of discipline. As the character “Mayhem” in the insurance commercial points out, most of us have abandoned our resolutions for 2018 by now. Lack of discipline has to rank near the top of reasons why.
Yet, without discipline very few of us would have survived childhood. It was parental discipline that kept us from playing in traffic, sticking forks in power outlets, and playing with matches.
As adults, though, we often resent discipline. We grow up and think we no longer need to listen to authority figures. Sadly, the lack of discipline shows up in a lot of unwanted ways: expanding waistlines, increasing debt, wrecked relationships, and so much more.
However, for those who have learned to accept discipline, to seek it and apply it in their lives, there is great reward.
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 (NIV).
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,” Job 5:17 (NIV).
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise,” Proverbs 19:20 (NIV).
There is no greater Authority Figure from whom we can seek and accept discipline than the Lord. And the beauty is, He is in the discipline business. He’s not a cosmic killjoy looking for someone to punish, rather He is a loving parent training you up through discipline just like your earthly parents taught you not to play in traffic, stick forks in outlets, or play with matches.
“…the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in,” Proverbs 3:12 (NIV)
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