My son is a well-behaved kid. Most of the time, if he needs correction, a short talk is all that is needed.
Recently, however, his behavior required something stronger. So, after a serious conversation, I spanked him.
As he looked up at me, I knew something was not quite right. He was holding back laughter. It occurred to me that the spanking didn’t hurt. I had held back a little too much.
As I realized what was going on, I had to hold back the laughter too.
There we were, sitting on the edge of his bed –both of us trying not to laugh, but for totally different reasons!
He was trying to be respectful while I was trying to remain in “discipline mode.”
What exactly do you say in that moment? I wasn’t exactly sure, but I gave it my best effort:
“Bryce, that didn’t hurt did it?”
“No sir.”
“That’s right. But if it happens again, it will hurt.”
“Yes sir.”
Wow! I felt like I had a pretty decent comeback in the face of nearly losing all “spanking credibility.” Whew… that was a close one!
While my attempts at discipline might not always be perfectly executed, God’s discipline is always perfect.
Proverbs 3:11-12 explains it this way:
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (NIV).
The writer of Hebrews quotes this Proverb adding, “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” (Hebrews 12:11).
Every time I spank Bryce, I remind him that my discipline is out of love for him. Even though he might not understand it right now, I know that if I really want what is best for Bryce, I must discipline him!
In the same way, God disciplines His children out of love. Ultimately, it is for our good and for His glory.
Discipline is not the same as punishment. Jesus took the punishment for our sin on the cross. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Punishment is the agent of wrath. But discipline is the agent of grace, transforming us into the image of Christ. And that is no laughing matter!