GOD’S INFLUENCES

Five Ways God Influences Us Toward Righteousness

 

Our loving Heavenly Father desires to affect our lives toward righteous character and godly living. Hebrews 12th Chapter indicates five ways He does it:

1. He ENCOURAGES us:  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Heb 12:5

The idea here is one of entreaty, or imploring; much like we would encourage a child whom we want to excel in sports or academics. (To exhort, and encourage)

2. He DISCIPLINES us: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  Heb 12:6

The idea here is one of education: Learning that occurs through the pain of discipline.

3. He REBUKES us: And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  Heb 12:5

The idea here is one of exposing our disobedient, defiant behavior. Telling and showing us our faults.

4. He PUNISHES us: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb 12:6

The idea here is one of severe penalization: Whipping a person for the purpose of inflicting suffering. This is much like we received as children growing up under our earthly parents.

5. He TRAINS us: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  Heb 12:11

The idea here is of one who is trained (disciplined) by God to live a godly life. We, in kind then, are to exercise ourselves in godly discipline. We are to respond to His discipline as follows:

1. Don’t resist, despise, or make light of it; don’t be discouraged, or grow weary from it.

2. Understand it is evidence that we are His spiritual offspring; evidence of His love.

3. Don’t try to get out from under it.

4. Understand that discipline results in holy lives, righteousness, and peace.

5. Regain your strength and straighten your path as a result of it.