God disciplines those He loves. Yes, He disciplines you (i.e., uses corrective action) because He loves you! In fact, His correction is helpful and uplifting! The Lord is showing us His love in this way.
Created: Monday, December 5, 2022
God Disciplines Those He Loves; It’s Helpful And Uplifting
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: Hebrews 12:3-11 (6). Bible lesson background: A few things we can be sure of re: God’s discipline: (a) It is a response to disobedience. (b) He cares about us if he takes the time to correct us. (c) For many parents today, discipline is not a symbol of love, but abuse. Keep in mind, this is not the same as abuse, as it comes from a place of genuine love. It is very disrespectful to think one can care for loved ones better than the Lord. (d) We need His correction to help us live holy.
“The Lord [God] disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:6 (NCV)
God’s discipline, it’s helpful and uplifting
The methods that God uses may seem helpful to us, but as stated before, it’s uplifting! For example, he allowed the children of Israel to wander in the desert for 40 years. But it was for their good and took them to another level. Look at what His discipline did for them (verses 4 and 5).
Remember that for 40 years, the Lord your God led you on your journey in the desert. He did this in order to humble you and test you. He wanted to know whether or not you would wholeheartedly obey his commands. 3 So he made you suffer from hunger and then fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had seen before. He did this to teach you that a person cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that the Lord speaks.
4 Your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t swell these past 40 years. 5 Learn this lesson by heart: The Lord your God was disciplining you as parents discipline their children. 6 Obey the commands of the Lord your God. Follow his directions, and fear him. Deuteronomy 8:2-6 (GW)
Appreciate His correction
The Lord’s discipline is not something to desire, but something to appreciate when it happens. It is corrective action, meant to bring about a change for the good in manner or behavior. He allowed the children of Israel to go through many things to teach them to trust and obey Him, just as a good parent should do with their child(ren). We need His correction to help us live right.
My son, do not reject the Lord’s discipline and do not despise his correction, 12 because the Lord corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12 (ISV)
Leads to holiness
The Lord God disciplines us to help us so that we can be holy like him. I know it might sound harsh or odd, but it is the truth. The following should make this clear:
Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.
9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.
11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later, it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11 (NET)
Corrective action is how God disciplines those he loves
So many today do not believe in discipline [punishment, chastisement, or correction] especially when it involves their children. Heaven forbid we follow the instructions in Proverbs 23:13-14 or Proverbs 13:24. No matter what anyone may believe, we need His correction to assist and motivate us to improve. It’s one more way that God shows His love for us.
Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 You shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell. Proverbs 23:13-14 (UKJV)
If you do not punish your children [withhold/spare the rod], you don’t love them [hate your children/son], but if you love your children, you will correct [discipline] them. Proverbs 13:24 (EXB)
2 Honour your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with a promise;)
3 That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.
4 And you fathers, do not provoke your children to anger:
but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (RKJNT)
In conclusion, the Lord God disciplines those he loves
Lord, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law 13 to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, 15 for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. Psalm 94:12-15 (HCSB)
The Lord has corrected me, and I am thankful that He cared enough to do so. Our viewpoint on this subject is meaningless. “What do you think?” Is this a question that God has posed to any of us? I accept the Lord’s correction (chastening; discipline) as a child of God and put my trust in Him to act in my best interests. Accept His correction graciously, knowing that He gave it out of love for you.
Remember this, God Disciplines Those He Loves; It’s helpful and uplifting! Our Father reveals His love in many ways. This is one of them; we need His correction. I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible lesson. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
Scriptures to read and study:
NOTE: the key verses are in parentheses. Hebrews 12:3-11 (6-11); Deuteronomy 8:1-20 (2-6); Proverbs 3:11-12, 13:24, and 23:13-14. Ephesians 6:1-4 and Psalm 94:12-15.
See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
♥ Question for ‘God disciplines those he loves’: Do you avoid certain scriptures or find it hard to accept or believe them?
