Discipline

Before I was afflicted, I did err; but now I observe Thy word. (Psa 119:67)

Godly discipline or His dealings is a reality in following Christ that we cannot and should not avoid. We have to submit to the boundaries that the Lord has set for us (Gen 3:3). It is for our own good. Disobedience is our choice and so is bearing the cross and following Jesus daily (Luke 9:23). We disobey because we don’t believe the full extent of His Word. God rules by His Word, but if necessary the rod is applied (Prov 20:30). We disobey because it is our will we desire to exercise over His.

…… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him (Heb 12:5)

It is the ‘flesh’ in us that resist God’s discipline and it should be tested to the very limits of the human soul. That is precisely the work of the cross so we reach the bottom of the barrel and reckon ourselves dead indeed but alive to Christ (Rom 6:11). Whenever we resist and do not submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God we despise the dealings to us as sons (1 Pet 5:6). It takes meekness and humility to accept His dealings. We can avert His dealings, but we also avert being a son.

The cross is a choice we chose to carry. No one lays it on us but our loving Savoir. It is the building in us Christ character and to learn of Him (Matt 11:29). How much are we willing to yield? The more we yield the less the striving. The end is that we observe His Living Word that has been worked in being worked out (Php 2:12, 13). It is His working in, His dealings that will align us to His Word. His Word Who become flesh that ‘as He is, so are we in this world’ (1 John 4:17), now not after He returns.