Discipline is the act of training a person to obey rules and follow instructions, which sometimes involves corrective punishment for wrongdoing. The bible clearly establish that God excepts parents to discipline their children (Proverbs 23:13-14, Ephesians 6:4). Parents who failed in this responsibility suffered grave consequences, as seen in the example of Eli (1st Samuel 2:27-34). Being a just God, He cannot require discipline from earthly parents and fail in His responsibility to discipline His own children, as the Heavenly Father. All act of disciplining God’s children ultimately come from God, and the methods used are determined by Him. However, His motive is always love, while His goals remain making us partakers of His holiness (Hebrew 12:10). God disciplines His children as part of His covenant with them. Consequently, only disciplined children of God has access to His covenant blessings. Job 36:10-11 says:
‘’He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.’’

Interestingly, God in his infinite wisdom has set discipline as the number one criteria for ascertaining true children of God. Hebrew 12:8 says,
‘’But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.’’
Consequently, if you notice that you are getting away with sin and immorality without any type of warning or discipline from God, then you can be sure that heaven does not recognize you as a true child of God. As soon as a person accepts the Lordship of Jesus Christ, he or she becomes a genuine member of God’s family, and the love of God will immediately kick-start the process of discipline in order to bring the new convert to perfection in due time. May you always cooperate with God for the purpose of receiving proper discipline in Jesus’ Name.
As a child of God, receiving divine discipline with humility comes with great benefits. Discipline prevents children of God from going astray and brings us to perfection. It also makes us humble, wise and successful, helping us acquire spiritual growth and maturity. Disciplined Christians easily overcome temptation. They are like smooth stones in the hands of God and are mightily used by Him against the Kingdom of darkness. Open your heart to receive godly discipline and correction today.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.