Monday, October 27, 2014

Being a responsible parent is not easy. Sometimes buying up the teachable moment involves discipline. This is stated clearly in Hebrews 12:7-11: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 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.” All agree that no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. With hind-sight most children respect their parents for disciplining them as they thought best. Why? Because it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. It is much like a coach who puts his players through rigorous training. If they blow it, he disciplines them by either sidelining them or having them play in a less demanding league to develop their skills more fully. When they come back into the lineup they usually perform better and are able to contribute to the success of the team. Responsible parents do the same.