Jesus said the world would know that we are His disciples by our love for one another (see John 13:35). The problem is that the world distorts the real meaning of love. We cannot adopt the redefinition of love to be synonymous with careless tolerance, an attitude of anything goes. This is a total misconception of what Scripture means by the word love. The Bible shows us that love includes discipline and self-control (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7).

We also know discipline is an important aspect of love because God’s discipline is motivated by love: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:5-6). God disciples His wayward children by bringing them into moral, spiritual discipline—not out of His wrath, as the world asserts, but because of His deep love. While the world often equates discipline with anger, vengeance, and hostility, God uses discipline to restore and reprove the believer—to bring out the very best, refining them in the likeness of Christ.

As a parent, I can attest that I would rather have avoided disciplining my children; doing so is often more painful for the parent than for the child. What motivated me to intervene was my love and devotion for my child. My love forced me to act so that I could lead my children to choose to become men and women who honor God. In fact, discipline is an essential part of the bonding relationship between a parent and child.

A good father will lovingly discipline his children. A wise son or daughter will endure it (see Hebrews 12:7). If you do not receive discipline, Scripture says you are not truly a son or daughter—you are “illegitimate,” which refers to the practices of ancient Rome (v. 8). Illegitimate children did not share the right of inheritance and were deprived of the benefits of a father-son bond. A child’s illegitimacy was signified through not just a lack of benefits but a lack of discipline. So let’s rejoice in the love of God displayed in His care for our soul and character, heeding the words of Jesus: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19). 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your love for me displayed in Your care to transform my heart for my good and to Your glory. Help me to endure and to be changed by Your discipline. Thank You that You are a good, gracious Father who is forming me more into the image of Your Son each day. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” (Hebrews 12:7).

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