Discipline and Sin

God in His grace always disciplines His children. God desires that we be like Him our heavenly Father. We by nature are sinful creatures. When we are redeemed by grace the Lord give us a new heart and mind in Christ, but the habits of years of indwelling sin still have an impact on us. God has to train the sin out of us.

This work of God in removing sin requires discipline. God's discipline of His children is a gracious gift.
Hebrews 12:5-11 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, 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! 10Our 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. 11No 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.

We are to join God in the work of disciplining our lives. The truly mature believers that have a growing relationship with God discipline themselves.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God is at work in the lives of those He has purchased with His blood. We who have been purchased are to be at work too.

More on this tonight at Wednesday Night Worship.

Pastor Jason Pettus