How Does God Discipline Us?
I’ve just finished up a ghostwriting gig and I’ve really enjoyed working with this author. We have different takes on debatable theology. I have no problem writing what he believes because it’s his book.
Every once in a while I challenge his understanding. He calls it being a “bane to his existence.” I think it’s more akin to friendship.
I’ve haven’t told him, but God has been ripping apart things I’ve believed and taught. Yes, a book is in the works. The working title is “Confessions of a Recovering Walking Oxymoron.”
One of those things is my understanding of how God disciplines us.
Hebrews tells us to “endure hardship as discipline” (Hebrews 12:7) and often that’s the only discipline we think God gives us. We look at the difficulties of life and the crap that gets handed to us and it’s good if we “consider it all joy” (James 2:1-4) but one thing I find is that we forget another key way we’re disciplined...
...“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:1-3 New American Standard Bible
It’s the word of God that cleans us. It’s the discipline of word that lines up our thoughts with God thoughts and allows us to change our thoughts so that they agree with the Father’s.
I wonder if we’d spent less time complaining and more time in His word if the discipline would give way to joy sooner?
I’ve got a lot to work out here. I just am really drawn to the thought I need to know more of the Word and have more of the Word in me. That seems like a good policy whether I’m being disciplined or not.
What are your thoughts? Email me or leave them in the comments. |
