Not receiving disciplines from God

Proverbs 94:8-15

“Understand, O dullest of the people!  Fools, when will you be wise?  He who planted the ear, does he not hear?  He who formed the eye, does he not see?
He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?  He who teaches man knowledge—the Lord—knows the thoughts of man that they are but a breath.   Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble until a pit is dug for the wicked.  For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.”

As a follower of Christ, if you have never received disciplines, it does not mean God is pleased with you; in fact, it may be your ladder is on the wrong wall.  Turn with me to Hebrews 12:5-8, “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.”

If you are active in your church attendance and may even teach or preach, give a tithe, but have never received any discipline from the Lord, you need to find a time to reread the verses above and then go to 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? “  

My story will be different from most; that is unless you grew up in a small Baptist Church and never heard much about love and forgiveness, but only condemnation and fear of God.  To my knowledge, they never spoke of the Holy Spirit that would come to live in you and you in Him.  No, it was always the Holy Ghost and was not the subject discussed often, we were never taught that the Holy Spirit would be our Helper and correct us when we were tempted to take the wrong path.  

I also saw a lot of inconsistencies in the way people lived and what was being taught in the sermons but even as a young boy I never doubted God, or what the Scripture said about Jesus, His birth or death.  But foolishly I walked to the front of that little church and joined because I was embarrassed by an older man that meant well when He asked me if I was a Christian in front of my buddies.  I was 27 before I ask Christ to take over the management of my life, and I had a lot of unlearning to do.  The Holy Spirit would talk to me and also sent me men who had a walk with the Lord to guide me into truth.  Today I still examine myself to make sure I am listening to the Spirit of God and more often than I want to admit, I’ve been on the wrong path.  I must say it is not fun to receive discipline, but I always remember God loves those He disciplines and that He disciplines all that are His.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice