Punishment vs. Dicipline
9 August 2010
A new revelation of Grace is sweeping through the body of Christ in the world today. It is a beautiful thing to behold. For some it is bringing huge freedom and a sense of rediscovering Jesus, for others (mainly in church leadership) it is brining fear and confusion. This however is a normal reaction to any new or renewed revelation. The answer to knowing its origin is in its fruit and I am amazed at how this revelation is brining people including myself back into a real and genuine love for Jesus and a freedom from condemnation.I do want to add something to the already hotly debated issues. We have come into a real understanding that God will never punish us for our sin, he has dealt with that on the cross once and for all. So we do not live in the fear of punishment from God any longer. However we are Gods children and like natural parents he does from time to time need to discipline us. This is one area that we need to be confident in, God’s disciplines are essential for what he wants us to become. You see punishment has to do with the past. What I did, but discipline has to do with the future what I will become. God always disciplines us in the context of what he sees us becoming. When we are secure that God loves us, and is not angry with us, and will never count our failings against us, we can start to embrace his discipline as a son or daughter.This has really prompted me to look at the way I deal with my own children. Do we punish our kids or do we discipline them. Is it always in the context of their future? A real challenge not to just deal with what has taken place but to deal with the root and not the fruit of the action. This way we tap into something that affirms love and moves us forward towards our destiny.This is not only true for the way we parent but also the way we may Pastor or lead others. Are we willing to care enough to be involved in their future and not just their past or present.May the revelation of Gods never ending Grace continue to transform our hearts
One Response to ' Punishment vs. Dicipline '
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on August 16th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Thank you. What I needed to read.