THERE
IS NO ONE LIKE YOU - MIDI
* ACCEPTING CORRECTION FROM
THE FATHER *
{ HEBREWS 12:5 Through
11 }
Some people have a hard time even thinking of God as "Father" because of
the horrible abuse they suffered from their earthly fathers' hands. But
God is a Father who never abuses His children, although He does punish
them. He chastens those whom He loves. It is wise for the child of God
to fear the corrective wrath of the Father.
I loved my earthly father deeply. In fact, I idolized him. I was secure
in his love as he was constant in showing affection for me. I feared him
in the sense that I didn't want to disappoint him or let him down. I had
the "fear" of respect for him. But I also feared his wrath and discipline.
Even though, in general, I didn't want to disappoint him or grieve him,
nevertheless I often disobeyed him. That meant facing his discipline.
When my father disciplined me he always announced it to me by saying, "Son,
we have to have a session." That meant I had to follow him into his office,
close the door behind me, and sit in a chair in front of him. He wouldn't
raise his voice. He would calmly tell me what I did wrong and why it was
wrong. He instructed me in such a way that I was devastated. He always
ended the session with a warm embrace. But talk about the conviction of
sin...whew!
Are you able to accept
correction from your Heavenly Father? Do you respond to it properly? Pray
about this.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as
sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose
heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline;
God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you
are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had
human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much
more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines
us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 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 12:5 Through 11 NIV }
~Author R. C. Sproul
~
