Proper Discipline is a Blessing EGP Blog post from November 16, 2012

Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NLT)

When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong.

How true is this statement today?!? People walk around doing things without respect for others, or even themselves. No punishment…not even accountability…

Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV)

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

While many believers today are afraid of admonishing one another, you can be assured that God won’t let our sinfulness slide for too long.

Hebrews 12:5–6 (NLT)

[5] And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. [6] For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.”°

Hebrews 12:6 Hebrews 12:5-6 Prov 3:11-12.

Unfortunately, our society has turned in such a way where most people don’t discipline their children. Perhaps it’s because they were disciplined too hard. Or, more likely, it’s just because they don’t want to be disciplined themselves! What most people don’t realize, is that proper discipline is a blessing.

Hebrews 12:7–11 (NLT)

[7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? [8] If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. [9] Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever°? [10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. [11] No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:9 Or really live.