Discipline and Obedience

“Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things that He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

Have we learned obedience to God from own suffering?

We will suffer, too. This can develop our obedience to God or it may cause us to be bitter. It’s our choice to decide how we will respond. It’s our choice to learn discipline and obedience or to suffer in vain.

Humanity is strengthened through suffering or broken down until we may or may not learn that discipline and obedience are actually for our own good.

Jesus Christ is our example. If we want to know how to live a Godly life, and how to discern the truth to know what is right, we must follow Him.

If we can obtain a Holy Bible (and for anyone here in the United States, there’s simply no excuse not to do so), then we must actually read it, too!

How many people in the world would be so very grateful to receive a Holy Bible that would get thoroughly read? Just some food for thought, as I am encouraged by my readership of this blog from all over the world. Thank you very much and may God richly bless you with salvation and the joy of the Lord.

We will find everything we need to begin to learn discipline and obedience written and printed on the pages of The Holy Bible.

Growing up, most of us received discipline from our parents, and they would punish us if we did not obey them. However, some parents did not discipline their children or teach them to obey at all.

The reality is that kids really want their parents to discipline them. Without it, they flounder like a tiny fish in a huge sea of water and they suffer even more. (No pun intended with the word “flounder,” but it is interesting that I chose that word!)

The Word of God instructs parents to: “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” (Proverbs 19:18) — This scripture is very clear, isn’t it?

“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.” (Deuteronomy 8:5) (Bold emphasis was also added here.)

God loves us enough to discipline us. This is true love!

For the children: “A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.” (Proverbs 13:1)

God disciplines us as adults, too. He is our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly.

“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.” (Job 5:17)

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)                                         

“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” (Proverbs 10:17)

Even when we are being obedient to God, sometimes we may still suffer. At times this cannot be avoided. Why? I believe it is the result of the evil and disobedience of others who reject God and live in sin.

God is just. There will be fairness. It may not be during our lifetime, but it will certainly occur someday.

Try to picture a loving and honorable Father who wants the best for you, then you can imagine the Heavenly Father, God, loving us dearly and wanting us to obey Him. We must see that suffering is not always bad because at times it leads to goodness and humility, and ultimately it honors and glorifies God.

As we obey God, and as we seek discipline in our walk with the Savior, we will see His goodness.

Jesus Christ became man in the flesh for us to be saved and to be reunited with God. We were born of God, and if we choose to honor Him, we will be reunited with Him someday.

Ultimately, Jesus endured suffering and felt severe pain in His flesh. He felt human emotions, and He knew what it was like to have choices.

Our choices can be good or bad. We can make excuses and justify our actions, but they will lead to death. We can make good choices and our actions will follow that route and lead us to eternal life.

Don’t we realize that we have moral codes and commandments from our Heavenly Father who loves us enough to show us the right way to live?

The Ten Commandments were set forth by God. Not one of us has been able to follow them without breaking at least one. Not one of us! We are all sinners.

For me to realize my disobedience, it took understanding by reading the Bible, and it took the realization of how much God loved me. The truth set me free. I began to seek His discipline and desire obedience to Him.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3)

Oh, how our hearts can become hardened. Don’t let this happen. We must recognize sin for what it is and stop disobeying.

Seek God to teach us to obey and to desire His discipline. Seek God to walk in the ways of righteousness. Seek God through His Word, the Holy Bible for understanding and application in life. Seek discernment. Seek God’s power to be strong to live for Him. Seek the presence of the Heavenly Father. Seek to hear Him and to follow Him. Seek your purpose.

Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.

God’s Word for Today: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if you will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Copyright © 2014 by Patricia Shehan

All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set in italics and quotation marks.