Two people who did the same task were asked what they did over the weekend. Both responded.
Worker one states “It was beautiful I got to help out with a wedding. I help serve food for hundreds of people and it really was great to have God use me to minister this couple and their friends and family.”
On the other hand worker two replies “It was horrible. I worked in the kitchen all day, nothing came out right, and my body hurts. To make matters worse, no one even thanked me.”
Which worker is right? They did the same task. On the outside they both looked like they were serving. But on a much more important question, which one was ministering?
Jesus provides us with an answer in 1 Corinthians 13:1
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
In service, love is the difference between serving and ministry. Even if the intention and task is right but do not posess love in your heart then you are just mere noise that has no value for teaching or encouragement.
I must admit, I am found myself of falling of the trap of the second worker when it comes to ministry. My sin is having the wrong focus. There is more emphasis on the task than the actual purpose of the ministry and how I treat people around me. Even if the task seems right, and the intentions are good, but there is no love then it disqualifies you from your rewards in ministry.
Quote Of The Day: John Piper & Daniel Fuller
This is most likely something that you have been taught before, but as I read it afresh it was a stronger reminder of how to interpret Scripture.
"In each paragraph of Scripture, one should ask how each part related to the other parts in order to say one coherent thing. Then the paragraphs should be related to each other in the same way. And then the chapters, then the books, and so on until the unity of the Bible is found on its own terms." -- John Piper in Don't Waste Your Life
"God ordained a redemptive history whose sequence fully displays his glory so that, at the end, the greatest possible number of people would have had the historical antecdedents necessary to engender [the most] fervent love for God...The one thing God is doing in all of redemptive history is to show forth his mercy in such a way that the greatest number of people will throughout eternity delight in him with all their heart, strength, and mind...When the earth of the new creation is filled with such people, then God's purpose in showing forth his mercy will have been achieved...All the events of redemptive history and their meaning as recorded in the Bible compose a unity in that they conjoin to bring about this goal." -- Daniel Fuller
Persecution In Rome
Christians are no strangers to persecution. While persecution has not always been as intense or frequent it has generally always existed except for brief periods of peace.
Give a listen to Dr. David Calhoun's 3rd lecture from Ancient and Medieval Church History, which he teaches as Covenant Theological Seminary. Here is a recap of this lecture plust some other thoughts on Christian suffering.
From the time of the 1st century til around year 320 A.D. Christians experienced persecution at the hands of the Jews and Roman citizens.
The methods of persecution were many. To name a few, Christians were beaten with whips, boiled, burned at the stake, crucified, ripped apart, cooked on large frying pans and fed to the lions.
Here is my ever-so-rough summary of one account that I read in Foxe's Book of Martyrs some time ago.
Around the year 305 A.D., Pitiless & Asclepiades invaded the city of Antioch. Their mission was to cause Christians to apostasize. When a Christian named Romanus heard that they were coming, he ran to the Christians who were gathered in worship and told them that these wolves were coming. His instructions to them were, “Fear not!” And by Romanus’ influence, young and old, men and woman, fathers and mothers, were all united and ready to shed their blood to defend their Christian beliefs. When Pitiless and Asclepiades heard of Romanus, they ordered his capture. He was brought to trial that he might speak on behalf of all the Christians. During the inquisition, Asclepiades threatened Romanus with torture but Romanus gladly accepted whatever would be invented to cause suffering. Asclepiades anger burned hot against Romanus and he commanded that Romanus be stretched out to have his guts torn out. The executioners had pity on Romanus simply because he was a son of a nobleman. So instead of gutting him, they beat him with a whip with lead tips as Asclepiades then ordered. While Romanus was being beaten tears flowed from his eyes, groans came from his mouth. But during the times he was able to get his breath he sang songs to the Lord. And during his beating he pleaded them to them that they might treat him as a Christian, not as a son of a nobleman. These words cause Asclepiades to get even more angry. So he ordered that knives be taken to slice up the sides of Romanus until his ribs showed. Romanus responded by preaching the living God. He preached that people can only have eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ. Upon speaking, Asclepiades ordered that Romanus be punched in the mouth so as to knock out his teeth. His eyelids were torn with their fingernails and his cheeks were cut with their knives. They plucked his beard from his face so that holes began to appear in his cheeks. Romanus responded by saying, “Thank you for giving me many mouths by which I can now preach Jesus Christ. The holes in my cheeks are simply mouths that I can use to praise God.” Asclepiades said, “Your crucified Christ is but a god of yesterday. Our gods are the most ancient gods.” At this Romanus took the opportunity to declare the eternity of Christ, the fact that he became flesh and satisfied God’s anger in His death on the cross. Asclepiades said, “Bring me a child that is seven years old. They are at a young enough age so that they are innocent and not infected with such religious thinking as Romanus.” A little boy was called out of the crowd and asked, “Do you believe that we should worship Christ or many gods?” The child responded, “God is One. Christ in unique in that He is the true God. We children do not believe that there are many gods.” Asclepiades snapped back, “You young villain and traitor! Who did you learn this from?” The child responded, “I learned it from my mother!” The mother was called to the front. At this point the child was strung up and beaten with whips. Everyone around was crying at the terrible things that were taking place, but there the mother stood with dry cheeks. The child cried out for some cold water and the mother rebuked him for craving water and counseled her son to remember Isaac who willingly laid on an altar to be sacrificed to the Lord by his father Abraham. While she was talking to her child, the torturers began to pluck the skin from his head. The mother cried out, “Suffer my child and when you die, know that Christ will put a crown of glory on your naked head.” At this the child was encouraged and took his beating with a smile and happy face. The child was thrown in prison and eventually beheaded. Romanus’ tongue was cut out, he was thrown in prison and eventually strangled to death.
This is pretty intense. It's almost unthinkable that things like this ever happened or could ever happen again. But the truth is that contemporary Christians around the world are suffering similar fates. Perhaps not in America, but elsewhere persecution is a very real threat to very real Christians. Pray for them.
Now back to Dr. Calhoun's lecture. Calhoun lists several reasons that the early Christians were persecuted (either by Jews or Romans).
1. They were charged with being incestuous. How in the world could that be? Well, Christians were calling each other "brothers" and "sisters" and it was common to great each other with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26).
2. They were charged with cannibalism. The language that Jesus used and the church used in regards to communion was "cause" for this (John 6:53, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
3. They were charged with a lack of patriotism. Seeing themselves as citizens of God's Kingdom, they knew that they were not of this world (Ephesians 2:19) and so accused of being unpatriotric. While living on earth, they knew that they must cooperate and function on it as earthly inhabitants while living in a way that gave testimony to the fact that they were eternally citizens of heaven.
4. They were charged with causing all sorts of disasters. It seems that the people of that time where heavily superstituous towards the Christians. Listen to how Tertullian described the atmosphere and attitude of others towards early believers.
5. They were charged with atheism. I'm guessing that this was a charged leveled by the Romans. Obviously we know that God is not like the worldly idols that are created. He is Spirit and does not have a body. Of course, I am not speaking of the incarnation here. And because Christians worship an invisible God, it seemed to others that they were atheists.
6. They were charged with novelty. Novelty is described as the quality of being new. Some were under the impression that Christianity was a new religion. In fact, you hear echoes of that today: "Christianity has only been around since Jesus." In a sense that is true, but in reality, we Christians are "children" of Abraham. Christianity is really a continuation of all that God has decreed in eternity past. It is not something novel.
7. They were charged with hating the family. They were accused of hating their fathers, mothers and relatives. Was it true? No, but their love for the Lord and for each other was such that it seemed like they did not love their family (Luke 14:24-27). So great was their love for God and His family that they earned a reputation for despising their own relatives.
8. They were charged with setting fires to Rome. Nero accused them of doing this but only after it was suggested that he had set fire to his own empire in order to be able to rebuild it. Read through 1 Peter to see how the Christians were encouraged to live as they faced such horrible persecution for following and believing the gospel. And next time you click on your CD/DVD "burning" utility and you see that it's called NERO, remember the martyrs.
As I was mulling over the reason that early Christians were persecuted, I began to wonder what it was that we are known for in America. Are we known for taking communion? Are we known for loving our God and church such that it looks like we do not love our earthly families? Are we ever considered anti-American because we are so looking forward the coming reign of Jesus Christ?
It's something to think about in regards to myself as well as the people I shepherd. Am I teaching, encouraging and modeling Christ-likeness in such a way that they'll learn to live in like manner? Will Christian in America ever be known for their radical devotion to the church or will they be known for their radical devotion to the trivial like reality television? Will Christians in American ever be known for their love of the sacraments and worship or will they be known for their love of cars, food and sensual clothing?
When will this generation be known to the world as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century generations of Christians were known in the times of Rome? If a seven-year-old boy could join Romanus and stand in the face of persecution, surely, with God's help, today's Christian can live and die for the One who lived and died for them.
Give a listen to Dr. David Calhoun's 3rd lecture from Ancient and Medieval Church History, which he teaches as Covenant Theological Seminary. Here is a recap of this lecture plust some other thoughts on Christian suffering.
From the time of the 1st century til around year 320 A.D. Christians experienced persecution at the hands of the Jews and Roman citizens.
The methods of persecution were many. To name a few, Christians were beaten with whips, boiled, burned at the stake, crucified, ripped apart, cooked on large frying pans and fed to the lions.
Here is my ever-so-rough summary of one account that I read in Foxe's Book of Martyrs some time ago.
Around the year 305 A.D., Pitiless & Asclepiades invaded the city of Antioch. Their mission was to cause Christians to apostasize. When a Christian named Romanus heard that they were coming, he ran to the Christians who were gathered in worship and told them that these wolves were coming. His instructions to them were, “Fear not!” And by Romanus’ influence, young and old, men and woman, fathers and mothers, were all united and ready to shed their blood to defend their Christian beliefs. When Pitiless and Asclepiades heard of Romanus, they ordered his capture. He was brought to trial that he might speak on behalf of all the Christians. During the inquisition, Asclepiades threatened Romanus with torture but Romanus gladly accepted whatever would be invented to cause suffering. Asclepiades anger burned hot against Romanus and he commanded that Romanus be stretched out to have his guts torn out. The executioners had pity on Romanus simply because he was a son of a nobleman. So instead of gutting him, they beat him with a whip with lead tips as Asclepiades then ordered. While Romanus was being beaten tears flowed from his eyes, groans came from his mouth. But during the times he was able to get his breath he sang songs to the Lord. And during his beating he pleaded them to them that they might treat him as a Christian, not as a son of a nobleman. These words cause Asclepiades to get even more angry. So he ordered that knives be taken to slice up the sides of Romanus until his ribs showed. Romanus responded by preaching the living God. He preached that people can only have eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ. Upon speaking, Asclepiades ordered that Romanus be punched in the mouth so as to knock out his teeth. His eyelids were torn with their fingernails and his cheeks were cut with their knives. They plucked his beard from his face so that holes began to appear in his cheeks. Romanus responded by saying, “Thank you for giving me many mouths by which I can now preach Jesus Christ. The holes in my cheeks are simply mouths that I can use to praise God.” Asclepiades said, “Your crucified Christ is but a god of yesterday. Our gods are the most ancient gods.” At this Romanus took the opportunity to declare the eternity of Christ, the fact that he became flesh and satisfied God’s anger in His death on the cross. Asclepiades said, “Bring me a child that is seven years old. They are at a young enough age so that they are innocent and not infected with such religious thinking as Romanus.” A little boy was called out of the crowd and asked, “Do you believe that we should worship Christ or many gods?” The child responded, “God is One. Christ in unique in that He is the true God. We children do not believe that there are many gods.” Asclepiades snapped back, “You young villain and traitor! Who did you learn this from?” The child responded, “I learned it from my mother!” The mother was called to the front. At this point the child was strung up and beaten with whips. Everyone around was crying at the terrible things that were taking place, but there the mother stood with dry cheeks. The child cried out for some cold water and the mother rebuked him for craving water and counseled her son to remember Isaac who willingly laid on an altar to be sacrificed to the Lord by his father Abraham. While she was talking to her child, the torturers began to pluck the skin from his head. The mother cried out, “Suffer my child and when you die, know that Christ will put a crown of glory on your naked head.” At this the child was encouraged and took his beating with a smile and happy face. The child was thrown in prison and eventually beheaded. Romanus’ tongue was cut out, he was thrown in prison and eventually strangled to death.
This is pretty intense. It's almost unthinkable that things like this ever happened or could ever happen again. But the truth is that contemporary Christians around the world are suffering similar fates. Perhaps not in America, but elsewhere persecution is a very real threat to very real Christians. Pray for them.
Now back to Dr. Calhoun's lecture. Calhoun lists several reasons that the early Christians were persecuted (either by Jews or Romans).
1. They were charged with being incestuous. How in the world could that be? Well, Christians were calling each other "brothers" and "sisters" and it was common to great each other with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26).
2. They were charged with cannibalism. The language that Jesus used and the church used in regards to communion was "cause" for this (John 6:53, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
3. They were charged with a lack of patriotism. Seeing themselves as citizens of God's Kingdom, they knew that they were not of this world (Ephesians 2:19) and so accused of being unpatriotric. While living on earth, they knew that they must cooperate and function on it as earthly inhabitants while living in a way that gave testimony to the fact that they were eternally citizens of heaven.
4. They were charged with causing all sorts of disasters. It seems that the people of that time where heavily superstituous towards the Christians. Listen to how Tertullian described the atmosphere and attitude of others towards early believers.
"If the Tiber reaches the walls, if the Nile does not rise into the fields, if the sky does not move, if the earth does, if there is famine, if there is plague, the cry is at once, 'The Christians to the lions!'"
5. They were charged with atheism. I'm guessing that this was a charged leveled by the Romans. Obviously we know that God is not like the worldly idols that are created. He is Spirit and does not have a body. Of course, I am not speaking of the incarnation here. And because Christians worship an invisible God, it seemed to others that they were atheists.
6. They were charged with novelty. Novelty is described as the quality of being new. Some were under the impression that Christianity was a new religion. In fact, you hear echoes of that today: "Christianity has only been around since Jesus." In a sense that is true, but in reality, we Christians are "children" of Abraham. Christianity is really a continuation of all that God has decreed in eternity past. It is not something novel.
7. They were charged with hating the family. They were accused of hating their fathers, mothers and relatives. Was it true? No, but their love for the Lord and for each other was such that it seemed like they did not love their family (Luke 14:24-27). So great was their love for God and His family that they earned a reputation for despising their own relatives.
8. They were charged with setting fires to Rome. Nero accused them of doing this but only after it was suggested that he had set fire to his own empire in order to be able to rebuild it. Read through 1 Peter to see how the Christians were encouraged to live as they faced such horrible persecution for following and believing the gospel. And next time you click on your CD/DVD "burning" utility and you see that it's called NERO, remember the martyrs.
As I was mulling over the reason that early Christians were persecuted, I began to wonder what it was that we are known for in America. Are we known for taking communion? Are we known for loving our God and church such that it looks like we do not love our earthly families? Are we ever considered anti-American because we are so looking forward the coming reign of Jesus Christ?
It's something to think about in regards to myself as well as the people I shepherd. Am I teaching, encouraging and modeling Christ-likeness in such a way that they'll learn to live in like manner? Will Christian in America ever be known for their radical devotion to the church or will they be known for their radical devotion to the trivial like reality television? Will Christians in American ever be known for their love of the sacraments and worship or will they be known for their love of cars, food and sensual clothing?
When will this generation be known to the world as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century generations of Christians were known in the times of Rome? If a seven-year-old boy could join Romanus and stand in the face of persecution, surely, with God's help, today's Christian can live and die for the One who lived and died for them.
The Power Of Christ In Church Planting
It is so often hard to know whether a church is doing well or not. We take a peak at the offerings, the attendance, the programs, the sound equipment, the facilities...and then we compare ourselves to the church down the road and try to measure how we stand compared to them. If we got more going on than they do in all the aforementioned categories, then we must be doing pretty darn well. But a word of warning is needed. From outward appearances things can look vibrant and healthy with all the nice facilities and amenities, but inwardly the church members can be anemic. Other times the outward appearance seems to be deficient in worldly goods but inwardly the church is rich in righteousness, faith, love and hope. The outer evidence is not always a great indicator of what God is really accomplishing inside of His people. You can be a wealthy church but in the sight of the Lord be poor, blind and naked. Conversely, you can be dirt poor and be rich in the eyes of the Lord. And His take on the matter is really the only one that matters.
That said, one can often wonder if a church is succeeding! Numbers go up. Numbers go down. Sanctification happens. Sometimes it looks like de-sanctification is happening. Is there any encouragement from Scripture as to whether or not our feeble efforts to serve the Lord in His strength are in vain?
Thank goodness we don't have to ultimately look to circumstances and our finite wisdom to assess the health and ultimate outcome of the church.
1. The Master Builder Will Build His Church And Hell Cannot Stop It!
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Oh, how weak are our efforts to "do something" for God...as if God needed anything from us. And when we do serve Him and the church, we serve in the strength that He gives. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Colossians. So even our service to His is really His working through us. We owe Him for our service! We are indebted all the more. He is building His church.
2. The Master Builder Will Sanctify His Church Through The Word Of God
Ephesians 5:25-27 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
What a rough task it is to help our brothers and sisters grow in the Lord. We are called to edify one another. But here we see that it is the Lord that is ultimately sanctifying us by the Word. He does this for His glory and His good pleasure. That HE might present to HIMSELF the church in splendor. He's building the church. He's sanctifying the church.
3. The Master Builder's Power Will Ensure That His Church Will Be Victorious
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Why are we to go into the world and make disciples? Because all power and authority has been given to Christ. Therefore, GO! We see now why the church will prevail...the power of Christ ensures that it will.
So when you think the church if failing, faltering or flopping...think again. I've had to. From my view "under the sun" it appears--at times--that the church is struggling and failing. That's when I know that I need to take a step back and get a God-centered, Scripture-saturated understanding of the church. If I assess things from my view, then I have discounted the wisdom, power and promises of Christ to do what He said He would do. If I assess things from "beyond the sun" then I can rest in the grace of God knowing that His church will go on triumphantly.
I love the church of God. My mind is continually filled with great desires for it. Thank goodness the love and desires of my Lord are much more grand than mine. Be certain that His purpose and decree will stand. That doesn't discount the role that we play, it only reminds us that the Lord "Authored" our faith...and He will be the "Finisher" of our faith.
That said, one can often wonder if a church is succeeding! Numbers go up. Numbers go down. Sanctification happens. Sometimes it looks like de-sanctification is happening. Is there any encouragement from Scripture as to whether or not our feeble efforts to serve the Lord in His strength are in vain?
Thank goodness we don't have to ultimately look to circumstances and our finite wisdom to assess the health and ultimate outcome of the church.
1. The Master Builder Will Build His Church And Hell Cannot Stop It!
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Oh, how weak are our efforts to "do something" for God...as if God needed anything from us. And when we do serve Him and the church, we serve in the strength that He gives. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in Colossians. So even our service to His is really His working through us. We owe Him for our service! We are indebted all the more. He is building His church.
2. The Master Builder Will Sanctify His Church Through The Word Of God
Ephesians 5:25-27 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
What a rough task it is to help our brothers and sisters grow in the Lord. We are called to edify one another. But here we see that it is the Lord that is ultimately sanctifying us by the Word. He does this for His glory and His good pleasure. That HE might present to HIMSELF the church in splendor. He's building the church. He's sanctifying the church.
3. The Master Builder's Power Will Ensure That His Church Will Be Victorious
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Why are we to go into the world and make disciples? Because all power and authority has been given to Christ. Therefore, GO! We see now why the church will prevail...the power of Christ ensures that it will.
So when you think the church if failing, faltering or flopping...think again. I've had to. From my view "under the sun" it appears--at times--that the church is struggling and failing. That's when I know that I need to take a step back and get a God-centered, Scripture-saturated understanding of the church. If I assess things from my view, then I have discounted the wisdom, power and promises of Christ to do what He said He would do. If I assess things from "beyond the sun" then I can rest in the grace of God knowing that His church will go on triumphantly.
I love the church of God. My mind is continually filled with great desires for it. Thank goodness the love and desires of my Lord are much more grand than mine. Be certain that His purpose and decree will stand. That doesn't discount the role that we play, it only reminds us that the Lord "Authored" our faith...and He will be the "Finisher" of our faith.
The Lost Love Of Spanking
Oh, what a touchy subject. Dare I even talk about it!? I dare. But I'll let Scripture speak on the matter first.
1. Spanking is an act of love.
Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
2. Spanking is do be done diligently.
Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
3. Spanking Is Intended To Produce Repentance.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
4. Spanking Helps Bring Honor To The Parents.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
5. Spanking Is Not Yours To Withhold
Proverbs 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. [14] If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
6. Spanking Is Intended To Play A Part In Saving The Soul Of Your Child
Proverbs 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. [14] If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
Many see the lines between spanking and abuse too blurry and so they would rather find other means of discpline and training for children. Obviously there are a deep spiritual and physical differences between godly spanking and worldly abuse. While the Word of God is to be the primary instrument by which Christians parents discipline and train their children, spanking does have it's proper place in the life of young ones as the above Scripture show us.
Spanking, along with the Word of God is intended to produce righteous living in the young believer. But even before that, spanking is intended to communicate the gospel story. It shows a child that sin has serious consequences. When they feel the sting of disobedience and then see that Christ was bruised for our iniquities, the gospel will be all the more clear. Spanking communicates to them God's displeasure and wrath for sin. When they look to the Christ who is our propitiation, they will fall in love with the Savior who suffered in their place. Is it any wonder that Scripture teaches us that whoever spanks their children will save their souls from Sheol?
Spanking is done to save souls and point to the glories of the cross. Abuse is done for sinful reasons. What a vast difference between the two. If you love your children and love the Lord, do not withhold spanking from them. Discipline them in love. They will know the difference between godly discipline and worldly discipline. Make sure it is done to honor the Lord, not to appease the flesh.
1. Spanking is an act of love.
Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
2. Spanking is do be done diligently.
Proverbs 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
3. Spanking Is Intended To Produce Repentance.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
4. Spanking Helps Bring Honor To The Parents.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
5. Spanking Is Not Yours To Withhold
Proverbs 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. [14] If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
6. Spanking Is Intended To Play A Part In Saving The Soul Of Your Child
Proverbs 23:13-14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. [14] If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
Many see the lines between spanking and abuse too blurry and so they would rather find other means of discpline and training for children. Obviously there are a deep spiritual and physical differences between godly spanking and worldly abuse. While the Word of God is to be the primary instrument by which Christians parents discipline and train their children, spanking does have it's proper place in the life of young ones as the above Scripture show us.
Spanking, along with the Word of God is intended to produce righteous living in the young believer. But even before that, spanking is intended to communicate the gospel story. It shows a child that sin has serious consequences. When they feel the sting of disobedience and then see that Christ was bruised for our iniquities, the gospel will be all the more clear. Spanking communicates to them God's displeasure and wrath for sin. When they look to the Christ who is our propitiation, they will fall in love with the Savior who suffered in their place. Is it any wonder that Scripture teaches us that whoever spanks their children will save their souls from Sheol?
Spanking is done to save souls and point to the glories of the cross. Abuse is done for sinful reasons. What a vast difference between the two. If you love your children and love the Lord, do not withhold spanking from them. Discipline them in love. They will know the difference between godly discipline and worldly discipline. Make sure it is done to honor the Lord, not to appease the flesh.
