Testing and Disciplining

Chuckle: "If the best things in life are free . . . why are the next best things so expensive?"

Quote: Virtue isn't virtue unless it slams up against vice so, consequently, your virtue is not real virtue until it's been tested ... and tempted.” –Unknown source

TESTING AND DISCIPLINING

"But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10 NIV).

According to the Scriptures, God tests us and disciplines us as his Children. Sometimes, it's difficult to discern the difference. Generally speaking, God's punishment comes as a result of sin; while testing comes to determine the dimensions of our faith. When God allows difficult and challenging situations to enter your life, the first question you should ask yourself is: Do I have unconfessed and unforgiven sin in my life? If the answer is "yes," then you should consider the possibility that God is disciplining you for your sins -- to draw you back to himself through your confession and repentance. Otherwise, it may be that God is testing you to strengthen and prepare you for a special service he desires you to perform. In either case, an appropriate question is: "Lord, what are you trying to teach me in this situation?"

Testing. God tested Abraham's faith and obedience (Genesis 22:1 NIV) by commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This was to determine if Abraham would obey God unconditionally regardless of what God asked of him. You may recall that after Abraham had proven his willingness to obey God by sacrificing his own son, God said to him: "Do not lay a hand on the boy . . . do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son" (Genesis 22:12 NIV). Because of his faith, God promised to bless Abraham and the whole world through his descendants. Through this testing, God was preparing Abraham for greater tasks for his kingdom. Testing burns off the dross of faithlessness, indifference, and disobedience in our lives in the same way that fire purifies gold. It is designed to make us instruments that God can use for His purposes.

Discipline: God punishes us for the same reasons you punish your children -- because you love them and want the best for them. "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children" (Hebrews 12:5b-6 NLT). Who do you think loves his child more -- the parent who allows the child to do what will harm him, or the one who corrects, trains, and even punishes the child to help him learn what is right? "Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4 NLT).

God's discipline may not be pleasant, but it's a wonderful sign of his deep and unconditional love for us. "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 NIV). When you sense God's correction, it's wise to see it as proof of his love, and ask him this most important question: "Lord, what do you want me to learn through this experience?"

Love, Jerry & Dotse