I was thinking about this this morning. Who taught you to brush your teeth and hold a fork and a spoon? Who taught you to eat good things, to button your shirt and tie your shoes? What about looking both ways before crossing the street or how to ride a bike?
One of my kids asked me once, “Mom how long are you going to tell me to brush my teeth every night?” My answer, “Until you brush your teeth every night without being told.”
Discipline or correction isn’t a bad thing. It’s necessary to develop in the essentials of life. That’s what parents do – they correct their children so they will learn to do things right and they help them learn discipline so they will stick with it when things get hard.
“for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.” Proverbs 3:12-14
You know our heavenly Father does the same. His word will bring us discipline and correction. He sent the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and to guide us into all truth. And when we learn we develop wisdom and acquire understanding.
“The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him…Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people. Luke 2:40 & 52
It was important that Jesus, in his human body, gain wisdom and disciple in order for Him to accomplish what his Father had sent Him to do. He did what He learned from his Father.
“28 So Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own. But just as the Father taught Me, I say these things. 29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.’ 30 As He was saying these things, many believed in Him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:28-32
Jesus said that by doing what the Father taught, it pleased the Father. If we follow His (Jesus) example we will find true freedom. He also said in John 6:63 that the words I speak unto you are spirit and life.
” Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are” I John 3:1 CEV
God’s instruction, his correction, and his commitment to discipline are to bring us life, truth and freedom. The next time you tie your shoes and brush your teeth, thank God for parents who loved you and corrected you and helped mold you into the person you are today.
And the next time you love with your heart and give to help others, thank God that He loved you enough to mold you into His character and give you life.
The Father’s love is worth more than silver or gold!