Nudges | These Things | Discipline

If God doesn’t discipline you… you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.  Hebrews 12:8

“I used to feel bad about sleeping with my boyfriend, but I prayed and prayed about it, and now it doesn’t bother me at all!” Miss Chirpy giggled with delight. “God’s grace is amazing, you know? I’m free to be me.” Pastor Dave lifted a brow at the young woman before him. “So, let me get this straight,” he said. “You can do something God calls sin and not feel guilty about it, not experience discipline that leads you to repent? What do you think that means?” She wrinkled her nose and thought. “Um, I guess it means that my relationship with God is so strong that…well, He understands.” Pastor Dave nodded slowly and reached for his Bible. “May I read you what God actually says about it? I think it’s gonna surprise you.”

It surprises a lot of people. When we don’t study God’s word for ourselves, we fill in the blanks with our own ideas. That won’t work. God gave us His word and holds us responsible for knowing what’s in it. Hebrews 12 tells us that God is such a good Dad that when one of His kids sets off on a wrong path, He comes after us with discipline so severe that we cannot continue sinning. It’s too painful! But like an earthly parent, our heavenly Father doesn’t discipline kids that are not His. If we can practice sin like Miss Chirpy with a shrug and an “Oh well,” the Bible warns us to recheck our parentage. God’s kids are so precious to Him that He disciplines us until we change. Discipline may hurt, but it’s proof that we belong to Him.

Final Thought:  If you can continue a lifestyle of sin without strong discipline, check your spiritual birth certificate.

Prayer: Dear God, this is a wakeup call for me. Examine my life. What areas am I excusing and assuming you don’t mind? Does your lack of discipline mean I don’t belong to you at all? I need to know. I’m ready to get serious. In Jesus’ name, Amen.