It’s all up to me

Bruce Wilkinson write in his book “secrets of the Vine” about a very interesting topic of discipline.

The first secret of the vine is:  “If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you.” If necessary, He will use painful measures to bring you to repentance… so that you can live a more abundant life for His glory. The Bible calls this process discipline or chastening.  God’s discipline normally starts because of a major sin problem – an uncomfortable behavior or attitude that is blighting your life. It ends when the problem ends…. What does God do to wayward believers? He takes necessary measures to correct a wayward branch… many people misread God’s discipline because of harmful personal experiences in their own childhood. God’s actions are all intended to nudge you – lovingly, wisely, persistently – towards the life and character you desire but can’t reach without help.

Once believers understands God’s motive in discipline, and astonishing truth dawns: The discipline doesn’t have to continue! It’s all up to me. I will only experience pain (for a specific sin) as long as I hang on to that sin…. God doesn’t expect you to enjoy His correction. If you’re being disciplined, He wants you to get out of it even more than you want to. Satan would love to convince you that because your Father is dealing firmly with you, you’re a worthless, unlikeable loser. The opposite is true…, never disciplined… doubt His favor.” Hebrews 12:8.

3 Degrees of Intervention (According to Hebrew 12:5,6):

Degree 1 – Rebuke: a prick of our conscience, a timely word from another person, a scripture, the preaching of God’s word, or conviction by the Holy Spirit

Degree 2 – Chasten: something you feel as emotional anxiety, frustration, or distress. What used to bring you joy doesn’t. Pressure increase at work, at home, in your health or finances. Many Christians feel unfulfilled at church, critical of their Christian friends, and ‘on the outs’ with God. When they pick up their Bible, it feels like a lead weight instead of a welcome relief. Their relationship with the Lord… seems blighted by a sadness or lethargy they can’t quite trace. If any of these symptoms sound familiar… You need to look for ongoing sin in your life, the dirt crusting over your leaves and cutting you off from God’s best.

Degree 3 – Scourge: to whip, to inflict punishment… excruciating pain. At this level of discipline you are living in open sin with a flagrant disregard for what you know is right. You have not heeded previous attempts by God to rescue you from rebellion and return you to fruitfulness… He takes long-term sin very seriously, and He will act.” Read 1 Corinthians 11:30. “Paul said, ‘That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died,’ because of continuing sin… many are weak, many more are ill, and some have already died.

What stops good people from cleaning up their act?” They are “held captive” by damaging beliefs for years. Do you recognize yourself in any of these?

• It’s not a sin. It’s just a weakness, part of my personality, something I struggle with.
• I simply can’t help myself. This problem goes back to my childhood. So why wouldn’t God extend grace rather than impose discipline?
• Just because I sin doesn’t mean I can’t do something for God.  …God uses crooked sticks.

If this is you, …embrace truth, discarding the lies.  The longer you stay in discipline, the more you are asking God to turn up the intensity of His corrective actions.

Prayer to Respond to God’s Discipline

Heavenly Father, I understand that sin has muddied my life and kept me from producing fruit of lasting value for You. I see that You have firmly and lovingly disciplined me to bring me back to wholeness and abundance.

Please forgive me for my foolish rebellion. I repent of my sin, Lord, and I choose again to bear fruit for You. From now on, I will endeavour to respond to Your discipline quickly because I trust in Your goodness. Teach me to obey, Lord. Fill my heart now with great anticipation for the eternal harvest You will accomplish in my life. Thank You! Amen.