Enuf Fluff-Here’s the Real Stuff

Before I read/study God’s Holy Word, I ask the Lord to use what I read to do one of the 4 things written in  2 Timothy 3:16  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;”  Teach me–show me what I did wrong–discipline me–show me the right thing to do. Why?  Because that is what the Word is for, as Paul further wrote to Timothy “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“

• Hebrews 12:5-7 “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”
• Hebrews 12:11 ” No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
•  Job 5: 17 ” “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
• Proverbs 3: 11-12 ” My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,  as a father the son he delights in.”

Deuteronomy 5:8 ” Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.”  John Wesley explained this verse very well~~As a man chastises his son -that is, unwillingly, being constrained by necessity; moderately, in judgment remembering mercy; and for thy reformation not thy destruction.

I’m writing this, because most recently the light of the Holy Spirit within me has dimmed… The Lord showed me why when I was studying Dr. Luke’s gospel account.  In Luke 6:41-42 Jesus said “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

To say the least, in days prior, I had been doing just that.  Judging another person’s behavior.  I have read those verses oodles of times before and heard messages preached on that subject.  I knew it was wrong, but… Our Loving Father very gently corrected me as I saw my sin as He sees it.

As a chosen Child of God and fellow Heir to the kingdom of God, I was humbled…and rejoiced that He loves me so much He set me straight.  Oh the joy of being a sheep of His pasture, knowing Him as my Shepherd.  As it says in Psalm 23: 4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.