A God Of Consequence

Our God is a God of love, mercy and grace, but He is also a God of consequence. Our God is a just God. He allows us to reap whatever it is we have chosen to sew. He does not do this out of spite, He does this because it is in the reaping that we will learn a lesson far greater than we could ever learn by being rescued from getting what we deserve. Our God loves us too much to allow us to go through this life without learning some things along the way. Sometimes the school of hard knocks is the best place for us to learn some of the most valuable spiritual lessons we will ever learn in this lifetime. Now, I am not saying that God is going to give us what we deserve all of the time. If this were the case, not one of us would be a child of the living God because none of us can do anything to deserve this beautiful gift bestowed upon the human heart, the precious gift of salvation. We truly do not deserve the love of Christ and yet in His grace and mercy He showers us with it. It is in that same grace and mercy that He also brings consequences when they are needed.

God Disciplines Those He Loves

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,  and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:6

This verse brings about a beautiful thought. God disciplines and rebukes us because we are His children, because He loves us, not because He wants to watch us suffer. How many of us as parents would stand by and watch our children play in the middle of the street, or play with fire? I think all of us would be bringing some form of correction and rebuke to our children if we saw these things occurring. Why? Is it because we want to watch them suffer? No, it’s because we love them and we don’t want to see them get hurt. God is no different! We are His children. His discipline and correction is because He loves us and He doesn’t want to see us get hurt. Yes, there are going to be times when His correction is not going to feel good, but it is always better than the alternatives. If we would simply allow our children to continue playing in the street and playing with fire with no consequences, it is only a matter of time before we no longer have children. If we don’t allow the discipline of God to do a work in our lives, it is only a matter of time before God does not have us as His spiritual children. As time goes on we will slowly harden our hearts toward Him and His ways, and eventually walk away from His kingdom altogether. I hope you can clearly see why God desires to bring correction in our lives. He longs to keep us as His own. He does not want to see us walk away.

Godly Discipline Brings Healing

Discipline seems to have such a negative connotation in our society. We view it as something that is going to scar an individual for the rest of their life. However, Godly discipline does not bring about any form of scarring. It does however, bring about healing. It brings healing to the innermost parts of our hearts, our minds and our relationships. Godly discipline flows from a place of love. This is why it will heal the deepest wounds and hurts. This is why we should not view Godly discipline with negativity in our hearts and minds, because if it were not for His loving correction, healing could not be our portion in many situations.

“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

When God disciplines us, it will feel unpleasant and uncomfortable, but if we allow the Lord to teach our hearts, then what we reap from those times will far and above out weigh those momentary feelings of displeasure and discomfort. Let’s allow the Lord to bring correction in our lives because it will always bring about precious fruit when we yield to it with a humble, teachable spirit.

To read more about Godly discipline and how it should be used in parenting go to: "A Mother's Commission".

Thank you Lord that you love us enough to correct us when we need it in our lives. Thank you that your discipline leads to a harvest of righteousness and peace. Help us to stay in a place of humility. Help us to remember that your discipline is for our growth, not our destruction.Thank you for not leaving us to our own demise. Help us to remember that in those moments of discipline, though they will seem unpleasant, they are only for a moment, and that you have greater things in mind for us. Lord, we trust that your plans and purposes are far better than anything we can even imagine for ourselves. Thank you that you have the best in mind for us! We love you Lord and desire for you to have your way in our lives.