The value of discipline in God's people

When God makes plans, he is aware that there will be those who receive his vision to carry them out. Vision is always from God. The Spirit speaks to believers and reveals the Father's plans. The rest is a matter of obedience, if the voice of God has been heard clearly; or disobedience, if its purposes have been misinterpreted or worse, ignored. Many times the enemies of God's plans are among us. But God is a God of order and discipline whom He loves.

Let's go back to Nehemiah. While the humblest people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, others, rich and powerful in possessions and lands who were also Jews from captivity, exploited their poor and hungry brothers, became moneylenders who indebted Hebrew families with high interest rates. . The poor pawned even their lands, the most humble were subjected to servitude by their own brothers. (Neh 5.1-6). The protest of the people to the new governor Nehemiah was immediate and God empowered his servant to morally discipline the nobles. The warning was accepted and all that they had lost and pawned was returned to the humble.

Opposition to doing God's will can also come from within. It is important to know to be alert. In a morally ruined world the devil is always going to try to confuse us. Our trust is in Christ, the corner stone rejected by the builders, turned into a Rock on which their church is erected and established, that is why “… the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”. (Mt 16.18). The church of Christ will have to suffer the same sufferings of its Architect, but despite the resistance of its enemies, of modern contemporary Sanbalats and Tobias (enemies of Nehemiah), it will continue to rise up against all opposition, come from within or come from outside.

That is why the discipline of God's people has undeniable value. We can be wrong, but God is not wrong; We can slip, but God lifts us up. We must be aware that God's discipline brings blessing. The author of Hebrews reminds us: “Certainly, no discipline, when received, seems pleasant, but rather painful; however, afterwards it produces a harvest of justice and peace for those who have been trained by it ”(Heb 12.11). And our brother Job, almost with joy, declares: “How happy is the man whom God corrects! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty ”(Job 5.17).

We children of God must feel the correction of God as necessary to continue fighting in spiritual battles and glorify God. We must be willing to let the finger of God “format” us from time to time to return to a renewed state of mind and thus take on new challenges with new vigor to continue doing his work. In a world in spiritual and moral ruin the discipline of God is a powerful value against the values of opposition and disobedience. Solomon understood it that way and bequeathed us this tremendous illustration: "The commandment is a lamp, teaching is a light and discipline is the way to life" (Proverb 6.23 NIV)

God bless you

Suggested Reading: Nehemiah 5.