Free to choose — BUT…

Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” (2 Samuel 12:7–14)

Every choice I’ve made, including every sin, has consequences. Obedience to God generally results in good things, for that is His intention. He tells me what to do that will bless my life.

However, if my choice comes from “I know better” or “I want something different” the results can vary greatly. If I confess the sin, God forgives…

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

But confession and forgiveness may not change the consequences of what I said or did. David’s confession did not bring Uriah back to life, nor did it keep the baby from dying. Yet unlike Saul, God did not removed David from the throne because of his disobedience.

The NT promises that those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have a guaranteed eternal hope. I may lose rewards but not the everlasting life. It is a gift of grace based on what Jesus has done, not on what I have done or failed to do.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Why then the consequences? For me, they show me why obedience is important, wake me up to the importance of God's will, and teach me that I am not as wise as I thought I was. 

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. (Hebrews 12:5–11)

Jesus, consequences are seldom easy, but they are not a punishment as much as they are a classroom and a tool to teach me humility and lead me into deeper faith. In them I see Your great determination to transform my life but also they reveal Your awesome holiness.

Discipline is a big stick? Or a hug?

 

Our study group talked about God's discipline. Some viewed that word as harsh rebuke. Some understood it as training, much like the discipline of a runner getting ready for a marathon.Today I looked up verses about God's discipline and found that it can be negative and seem harsh, or loving and gently corrective. The negatives are more about the results or responses than about God's attitudes when He disciplines:

I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. (2 Samuel 7:14–15)
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! (Psalm 38:1)
The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. (Psalm 118:18)
By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond. (Proverbs 29:19)
And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips. (Jeremiah 7:28)

On the positive side, the reason God disciplines is because He loves His children and wants the best for us. Believing that makes seeking His will much easier.

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. (Job 5:17)
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, (Psalm 94:12)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, (Proverbs 3:11)
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)
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. (Hebrews 12:5–11)
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

I’ve noticed when parents discipline their children, it can be motivated because the child is annoying them. Other parents are motivated by love and use discipline to train their child to be wise and well-behaved. Most children seem to realize which motive is behind the correction.

It is wise to remember that God is not dealing with me because I am annoying Him. While I could be acting badly, His reason for correction is always for my good.

PRAY: Oh Father, thank You for Your love and grace. It shows up when I’ve behaved foolishly and You bring correction to me. You always do it with a hug rather than a big stick and an angry scowl. Help those whose earthly fathers were motivated more by annoyance than love that they will realize You are not like that. Remind us often that You love us — and that You discipline us so we will become more like You.
P.S. Monday I told You that I’d really like to have some pink tulips. Then yesterday, a neighbor came to our door with a gift for me — a vase filled with pink tulips! My eyes are still leaking.

Step into Freedom

 

The Twelve-Step program used by AA and NA are not just for alcoholics and substance abuse. They are principles based on biblical truths that enable anyone to overcome any sin. Too often critics will consider these twelve actions to be pat answers or too simple or just for the desperate, but they make plain the actions needed by those struggling against sin and a selfish lifestyle.

The first one is honesty. For those who go to AA, it is about an honest admission of being powerless to control a drinking problem. For everyone, it is an honest admission of being powerless over the power of any sin, over the desire to run my own life and ignore or reject what God wants for me.

MacArthur has focused on the character and benefits of God’s Word, and points to the bottom line: it is the way that He trains us to be righteous, to live the way He intended. This will involve doing good as well as being good, actions as well as attitudes.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

A twelve-step person told us that the hardest part is admitting their own rottenness. For this, the Holy Spirit gives us a hand-up by convicting us of sin and encouraging confession. God’s involvement is like that of a parent who disciplines an erring child. This is painful but necessary and an act of love on His part.

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. (Hebrews 12:5–11)

Just as He disciplines, God also feeds me. My part is to go to Him with my hunger, acknowledging that Scripture is my spiritual nourishment. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) and Peter added that I need to “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3)

James added the same thing: “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21) and MacArthur notes that trying to feast on Scripture without confessing sin is like attempting to eat a meal while wearing a muzzle.

It is true that the Word of God will keep me from sin, or sin will keep me from opening God’s Book. I need to keep short accounts and not lose my appetite so that He can speak to me, refresh me, and remind me of all that He is and does.

PRAY: Lord, I’ve faced temptation already today, but remembered truth from Your Word and walked away. You are an awesome, gracious and loving God who wants the best for me. Thank You for nourishing my spirit and giving me an appetite for more!

PONDER: These two passages give me two thoughts:

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Philippians 3:1)

It should never be a bother to remind others of spiritual truth. It is for their protection and success.

Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12–15)

It is good to be reminded of things I already know so that I can recall them when the need arises. Do not ever excuse learning with, “Oh, I already know that” but meditate on repeated lessons; the repetition indicates that they are important now and in the future.