THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

36God’s discipline is a sign that He is our Father. A true father always discipline his child.It would not be a mark of a father’s love to let a son do what he likes and make things as easyas possible. This would not prepare the son for life. It would make him a misfit, a totally selfish,rebellious person.The author makes the point that lack of discipline is a sign of lack of love andresponsibility. For a child’s father does not have the responsibility of disciplining another’schild. That is the responsibility of each child’s father. Lack of discipline, therefore, shows thatchild does not belong to that father. Thus he is an illegitimate son.The book of Proverbs has much to say about discipline. In Proverbs chapter thirteen versetwenty four, Solomon, like the author of the book of the book of Hebrews, ties love to discipline.He states, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to disciplinehim”Solomon makes the point that obedience leads to safety “but he who is contemptuous ofhis ways will die” (Pr 19:16). This is why he states,“Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death . . .Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he willnot die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death” (19:18; 23:1).Lack of discipline is dangerous: it leads to disaster, even death. Not only physical deathbut spiritual death. Hope for a child’s future, says Solomon, is grounded properly only when itis preceded by loving, firm discipline.BAD EXAMPLESBoth David and Samuel are rebuked by God for not exercising proper discipline.Adonijah, David’s fourth son, was very rebellious and was in fact killed by his brother Solomonas he tried to usurp his (Solomon’s kingship. The Bible states concerning Adonijah, “His fatherhad never interfered with him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ (1 Ki 1:6) Neverany discipline. And the tragic result was death.The Bible speaks of discipline as a purifying instrument. It says, “Folly is bound up inthe heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” (Pr 22:15). Disciplinegets rid of folly.Solomon also shows us that discipline guards a child from disgrace and gives himwisdom: “The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to itself disgraces his mother”(29:15).