"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

The Discipline of the Lord & The Peaceful Fruit of Righteousness

(Note: This article is scheduled to appear in the Feb. 17 edition of the Linn County News.)

 

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV)

Discipline is not something we usually think well of.  It’s often painful when we discipline ourselves; and it’s often painful when we are disciplined by those in authority over us.  But ultimately, discipline is a good thing that brings beneficial results to our life.

    Part of a parent’s job is to discipline their children.  Kids aren’t’ disciplined because their parents hate them.  In fact the truth is quite the opposite.  Parents discipline their children because they love them and they know that unless their behavior changes they will have a hard time making it in the world.  We discipline our kids because we love our kids; the same is true with the children of God.

    God disciplines his children today as well.  Sometimes he brings circumstances into our life to teach us a lesson.  Sometimes he brings Bible verses, or sermons into our life because he’s trying to teach us something.  And just like children, we can either submit to his authority and learn; or we can fight against him in stubbornness.  If we submit to him and try to discern his lesson, the Bible says our life will yield “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  There is a great peace that comes from knowing and obeying God out of heart that loves him.  And the more we love, follow, and obey him; the less discipline he needs to give us.  As we learn to spiritually discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness (see 1 Timothy 4:7); we will find that God doesn’t have to discipline us as much.

    Are you a true child of God?  Have you turned from sin in broken repentance and committed your life to Jesus Christ as Lord?  If so, then you can expect him to discipline you when you sin.  He does it out of love because he wants what’s best for you.  Submit to Christ, embrace his discipline, and enjoy the “peaceful fruit” of a righteous life lived for his glory.

Job's Arrogant Friends

(NOTE: This article is scheduled to appear in the Feb. 3 edition of the Linn County News.)

The book of Job is well known because it speaks of intense suffering.  Though Job is described as a righteous man he loses almost everything he has.  At the beginning of the book we are shown a scene between God and Satan, where Satan accuses Job of only loving God because he is blessed.  God allows Satan to torment Job with an eye towards proving whether or not Job’s faith is simply based on blessings from God…or God himself.

    Once Job has suffered for a while, his friends come on the scene to comfort him.  Anyone who has studied the book knows that Job’s friends are the type of friends he could have done without.  Rather than encourage Job they accuse him of being unjust.  They assume that since he is suffering God must be mad at him.  Clearly they were in error, but in some ways their theology was correct.

    Job’s friends speak of God’s sovereignty and his justice.  They speak of him rewarding the good and punishing the righteous.  These are all genuine truths about God.  But Job’s friends error in some ways.  First, they misapply the theology of God’s justice in a way that demeans Job and elevates themselves.  While it’s true that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, it is not necessarily true that just because someone is suffering they are being punished by God.  The Bible makes clear that often times the righteous will suffer in this world.  In fact many times the righteous will suffer in this world, because they are righteous.  Job was described by God himself as “blameless and upright” (Job 1:1)

    When we see people suffering in this world, we can’t simply assume that we know all the facts behind the suffering.  All people are sinners, therefore all deserve God’s judgment.  But what Job’s friends should have realized was that they too were deserving of God’s judgment.  Job was being tested.  At times all of us are tested.  And when we are tested, we must humbly submit to God’s sovereignty and trust in his ultimate goodness to bring his will to pass.  And when we see others suffering we must not always assume that it’s God’s punishment upon them.  It may be, but it could just be a test as well.

    All of us need the grace of God found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Apart from Christ we will be judged eternally by a righteous God.  Have you turned from your sin in repentance and committed you life to Christ as Lord?  If not, do so today.  Then don’t be surprised if suffering comes your way.  In this world the righteous often suffer.  If you don’t believe me….ask Job.