Proverbs 11:30 (ESV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
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James 5:19-20 (ESV)
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
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Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV)
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
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.
Few people enjoy the humbling nature of being shown where they are wrong. It can really sting the ego and cause insecurity about the perception others have about one’s intellectual capability, financial status, social skills or moral integrity. Regardless of whether true “goodness” is a goal, most of us at least like to look good.
As a parent, I can say with certainty that it’s frequently no fun being the one chosen to speak with an individual who currently does not wish to see his/her error.
But, although chastisement is rarely pleasant, and nearly always results in letting go of some aspect of “self”, God corrects us out of Love and wants us to accept His correction for the sake of our eternal souls.
You are so right, Heather…being a parent is no fun during the times we must point out the error of a wayward child; but the joy of obeying God and watching a child grow in obedience to the Lord is a wonderful thing to behold! Thank you for your insight and wisdom. Glad I stopped by your wonderful blog…thanks to Deb! Bee well
Welcome Bee
I do treasure the joy of being able to see good fruit in the lives of my children.
There was once a time when I considered myself to be “the teacher”. And, in a way, I still do as I’ve got more life experience. Yet, as I interact with them, I find myself in a learning position more often than not! I suppose none of us ever outgrows the need to be taught.
Thank you for visiting
Parenting with God can be really humbling. While we’re teaching them, He’s using them to teach us.
Oh may I stay teachable!
God bless you and your family, sweet Heather!
While we’re teaching them, He’s using them to teach us.
…and a little child shall lead them…
Oh may I stay teachable!
This is my prayer, also, Debbie.
Yes indeed, He will finish the work that He has begun……And that “work”, is to conform us to the image of His dear Son.
Hello Tom! Good to hear from you again
I do trust that the Lord is faithful and it is comforting to know that the point of learning humility and obedience is to become more like Jesus. It can also be distressing to be able to see how far from that mark I still fall!
To borrow from John the Baptist’s statement: Christ must increase and I must decrease,
Indeed, there is nothing “comfortable” about a cross or a fiery trial, but, what a precious master work is brought forth, for God’s glory, and our eternal good!
And He has given us the gift of brothers and sisters who offer encouragement to stand firm in the faith while pressing on toward the Prize!
Thank you for stopping by.