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“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. . . 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 12:8,11).

Spoiled.

How many of us seek the riches of God and yet assume the absence of his correction? We cry out for deliverance from our troubles thinking it was not our hand that pulled the trigger. We pray for a life of simplicity, blessing, and favor, but never discipline. When times are difficult the best medicine must be elevation I mean alleviation. Does it look like we know the solution to our rebellion? Taken is what we want God to do with pain and us to have all the same: ownership of self-ascribed fame

We point our finger at the murderer or molester who ought to receive his just desserts. This is the forgetfulness of our fallen minds–that the only differences between a Harvey Weinstein and us are resources and time.

Pick up your rock–smooth and clean–then throw it at people you deem as mean.

Are you left without discipline? Are you spared the rod spoken of in Proverbs that saves your soul? Brothers and sisters of the Faith, you are not. You are corrected. You are rebuked. You are brought back to the fold by the Good Shepherd. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). This kind of good is more than friendly gestures or simple pleasantries. God is good. Our good is in Christ. He is our righteousness.

Are you an illegitimate child? Do you prove by your ease that Christ is not your righteousness?

Discipline bears “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Do not despair at your pain. Hang in there when, on your financial crop, no rain falls. Your life is more than material gain. God cares beyond the pines of strife. God has given you the greatest good you could ever have; The righteousness of Christ.

Special thanks to Katy Chapell for creative editing.