Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

      Rodney King: ” I just want to say – you know – can we, can we all get along?”
      It will be very difficult for all to get along because it takes discipline to do so. I was reading in the Gospel of Luke where the disciples were arguing as to who was greater. Luke 9:46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Gal. 5: 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. The thought struck me that even in the company of Jesus it still took discipline to control their volatile emotions and it took willpower to overcome the temptations of power and control. 
     

      We are, after all, created in the image of God and were given dominion on the earth. So the desire to take control and create something from our hearts comes honestly. The problem, of course, came with the fall of man and man’s desire was corrupted to the point of even wanting God under our feet. Isa. 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
     

      Because of our fallen nature that was corrupted by this narcissistic sinful angel Lucifer, we now need to be disciplined by God in order to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we have been given grace to walk out our Christian lives as we learn to be disciples in Christ. It is as if we were granted the privilege and blessing to learn how to play the violin in public with none of the harsh criticisms and vitriolic shouts to shut up! 
     

      We were saved and we are being saved and we will be saved because of this grace that we are covered in. The discipline or rod of correction over our lives is not irksome or harsh. It is the blessing of the Lord that corrects us. Prov. 3:12 For the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in. Some of us might have a negative connotation as to the meaning of the word discipline. Many think of childhood beatings that left unresolved anger and lifelong scars. That is not what God does. 
     

      The reader’s-digest version of the word discipline is: In its natural sense, discipline is systematic instruction intended to train a person, sometimes literally called a disciple, in a craft, trade or other activity, or to follow a particular code of conduct. We are all being disciplined to be like Jesus and Jesus did everything out of love. 
     

      His guidance in our lives will also be motivated the same way; out of love. Why would God use love to discipline us? 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. This is why we can trust the discipline of the Lord because it will eventually produce love. Will the discipline always feel good? No! However, the fruit and results will be glorious and eternal.
     

      I have shared this before but it is worth repeating. I was angry at myself one day because I had sinned. I heard the Spirit of God ask me, “Are you angry because you vexed the Holy Spirit or are you angry because you broke your personal righteousness record?” It was clear that I did not care about vexing the Holy Spirit because the question would not have been asked. It looked like I was in for some correction with the rod of God’s love. Was I embarrassed, ashamed and feeling a bit uncertain? Yup! All three feelings were screaming in my head, but God loved me through it by reaching my heart. I repented and peace came just as our loving Father said it would. Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
       

      Don’t be afraid of the correction and discipline that comes from our Lord. It is life to our very being and it will get us through all the battles that come our way. God is good! Blessings.