REASON FOR DISCIPLINE

God disciplines those He loves — His children (Hebrews 12:6-7). Discipline is an expression of love, and it distinguishes between those who follow God's ways and those who don't (v. 8). It's integral to our inheritance and identity, as our Heavenly Father corrects us for our benefit (v. 9). For instance, neglecting discipline in areas like diet, exercise, rest, or work can harm our health and relationships. True living emerges through disciplined removal of harmful elements from our lives. The Greek word "paideuo," used for "discipline," is also found in 2 Timothy 3:16, describing training in righteousness. It primarily denotes the guidance and correction of children, encompassing instruction, correction, and warning. Life's challenges serve as training grounds for Christians, shaping us for greater holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11). God's discipline stems from His tender love (Proverbs 13:24).

RESPONSE TO DISCIPLINE

David was known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). David started as a shepherd, then became a poet/songwriter, a giant killer, a king, and even an ancestor of Jesus! However, David wasn't perfect. He betrayed, lied, deceived, committed adultery, and even murdered (2 Samuel 11). In David, we see a bit of ourselves — we want to be close to God, but we also struggle with sin. 

How did God show love to David when he messed up? Nathan, the prophet, confronted David about his sin (2 Samuel 12:9-10). Sin hurts people, but it also hurts our relationship with God. Nathan made David realize that sin is a rejection of God's Word and authority, as well as the consequences of his actions. How did David respond? He admits in 2 Samuel 12:13, "I have sinned against the LORD" unlike King Saul, who made excuses when he was confronted. David's honesty shows true repentance. 

While Nathan assured David of God’s forgiveness, he reminded about the consequences of his actions. This lesson isn't just for David's time — it's for us, too. We need to acknowledge our sins, confess them to God, and accept responsibility. David's response to God's discipline was humble repentance, which is something we should aim for, too. 

We have three responses to God’s discipline: 

We can resent God’s discipline bitterly (Proverbs 3:11). 

We can accept God’s discipline reluctantly. 

We can embrace God’s discipline willingly (James 1:2,4). 

Have you made the best response — to embrace discipline willingly? There is no sin too small for us to repent from, or too big for God to forgive.

RESULT OF DISCIPLINE

God sees what we can be in Jesus, and He chisels our lives until we become what He designed us to be. One of the blessings of discipline is forgiveness (1 John 1:9). No matter how far you’ve ran away from God, He is just waiting for you to turn around. Godly character is another result of discipline (Proverbs 22:6). Those who are trained will experience the fruit of righteousness: peace with God, in your soul, and in your conscience (Hebrews 12:11). Be strong, live right, and need not the Lord’s discipline, but rather experience His healing (Hebrews 12:12-13). God knows our hearts, yet He loves us still (Jeremiah 17:9-10). “Heart work” is hard work, and God does His work through loving discipline. Hearts change when we realize we need God, that only Jesus can make us right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 145:6-9). When may God be found in your life (Psalm 32:6, Hebrews 3:15)? Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may not come. TODAY is the day we repent and do what God is calling us to do!

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)