"you hate discipline" (part 3)
"You hate discipline." —Psalm 50:17
Discipline is not popular. Nevertheless, discipline is essential for a disciple of Christ. "You have forgotten the encouraging words addressed to you as sons: 'My sons, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord nor lose heart when He reproves you; For whom the Lord loves, He disciplines; He scourges every son He receives.' Endure your trials as the discipline of God, who deals with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" (Heb 12:5-7)
Our parents "disciplined us as seemed right to them, to prepare us for the short span of mortal life; but God does so for our true profit, that we may share His holiness. At the time it is administered, all discipline seems a cause for grief and not for joy, but later it brings forth the fruit of peace and justice to those who are trained in its school" (Heb 12:10-11).
The reproof of discipline is a way to life, not drudgery (Prv 6:23), while a lack of discipline is a way to death (Prv 5:23). "You yourselves...must now understand the discipline of the Lord" (Dt 11:2). "Discipline yourself in all your conduct" (Tb 4:14). "The first step toward discipline is a very earnest desire for" it (Wis 6:17). Appreciate and embrace discipline (Prv 1:2; Sir 6:18). Whoever "would find God must accept discipline" (Sir 32:14).
Prayer: Father, Son, and Spirit, may I earnestly desire the discipline of daily giving You my best. Pour out Your love in my weak heart so I will return to my early love of You (Rm 5:5; Rv 2:4).
Promise: "He who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is." —Mt 10:39
Praise: Lacking discipline, Mark asked for and received from the Lord the gift of fasting to help break the ties that bound him.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009
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