The relationship between discipline and holiness
Jun/02/2009 14:08
There’s a saying in the military, “Pain is weakness leaving the body.”
After reading Tim Challies blog entry this morning comparing the campaign to rid the Japanese from the islands of the South Pacific to how our enemy works to take the small “islands” in our lives before attacking the mainland, it reminded me of Hebrews 12:7-11 which says
There should be a new saying in the church “Discipline is wickedness leaving the soul.”
God’s campaign to rid his creation of wickedness was instituted with Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension but the campaign to completely exterminate sin from the small enclaves in our lives takes a lifetime. God blesses us with the gift of his Spirit which works to sanctify us and make us more like Jesus through repentance, confession of sin, striving after holiness, fellowship with the saints, worship and communion, and conforming our minds to the mind of Christ. Sometimes the process is easy, sometimes it’s painful, but it’s always for our good. God’s discipline in our lives is a reminder not of his anger but of his love for us in making us more like Jesus. If you’re feeling disciplined rest assured, discipline is wickedness leaving the soul.
After reading Tim Challies blog entry this morning comparing the campaign to rid the Japanese from the islands of the South Pacific to how our enemy works to take the small “islands” in our lives before attacking the mainland, it reminded me of Hebrews 12:7-11 which says
“It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
There should be a new saying in the church “Discipline is wickedness leaving the soul.”
God’s campaign to rid his creation of wickedness was instituted with Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension but the campaign to completely exterminate sin from the small enclaves in our lives takes a lifetime. God blesses us with the gift of his Spirit which works to sanctify us and make us more like Jesus through repentance, confession of sin, striving after holiness, fellowship with the saints, worship and communion, and conforming our minds to the mind of Christ. Sometimes the process is easy, sometimes it’s painful, but it’s always for our good. God’s discipline in our lives is a reminder not of his anger but of his love for us in making us more like Jesus. If you’re feeling disciplined rest assured, discipline is wickedness leaving the soul.
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