God’s discipline is remedial

Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Discipline is not pleasant; it is painful. There is therefore a great chance of despair or of developing a negative attitude when going through discipline. A negative attitude in time of discipline hinders growth and achievement of desired changes. It is very important when going through discipline to always keep uppermost in our minds that God’s discipline is remedial, and not vindictive.

God means it for good and not for evil. His discipline is motivated by love and He seeks to bring us back closer to Him. In discipline, God always wants to redeem rather than write off. Understanding this takes the sting out of hardship and makes it endurable.

God disciplines His children for many reasons but the main one is ‘that we may share in his holiness’ and ‘produce a harvest of righteousness and peace.’ Qualities of holiness, righteousness and peacefulness are not easily obtained. Holiness means being set apart for God’s use. Righteousness means being right and doing right in the sight of God. And peace means absence of war.

If you study these words carefully you will find out that they are easier said than done. The world clamours for us and it is difficult for us to remain set apart for God. We get carried away by many things. Only discipline can help us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Always being right and doing right as God desires for us is not a stroll in the park. Sin always seeks to slay us. Peace is a rare commodity. A fighting spirit resides in our bosom. Only discipline and discipline divinely administered will accomplish these qualities in us.

Divine discipline comes in many ways but affliction is His greatest and most common instrument. Hebrews 12:7 says, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” Affliction or chastisement that is used as discipline comes with some hardship. It may be financial hardship or family strife or persecution or even death. Pain borne in enduring the hardship is meant to cause us to desire change. Hardship brings humility. Hardship strips us of all idols and false security. Hardship brings us at the feet of Jesus. And that is good.

Affliction that brings us back to God is a good one. David once went astray from God through the sins of adultery and murder. God allowed affliction to strike him in the form of death of his son, family strife and political unrest. David was haunted and could not find remedy. Eventually, he was forced to humbly seek God through prayer and fasting. God granted him a measure of peace, success and comfort.

Realising the benefit of God’s discipline David said declared, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Psalm 119:71, 67). Discipline is a crucible for our transformation. A simple civilian is turned into a gallant soldier through discipline. Though very painful, discipline is always for our good. The writer of Hebrews said, “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). The work of discipline is to train you. You can be trained to refrain from undesirable habits or overcome certain weaknesses. You can also be trained to gain or acquire certain attitudes, characteristics and strengths that will help you fulfil certain expectations.

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