There has long been a misunderstanding about God's law, with many people thinking that it is a contradiction of God's grace. Understanding the cross and the love Christ has for us will lead us to the law because Jesus fulfils the law for us so that we grow to appreciate discipline, not dread it.
Love is wonderful, but it can also be painful at times. I can only think of the many times people have expressed their love to me in painful ways—the discipline I received from my parents, the rebuke and correction from mentors and the trials that God has brought to sharpen and build my faith.
Hebrews 12:7-8 tells us, "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
While we are not saved by law and compliance to it, the law is not completely useless. Many people think that because we are now under the new covenant that God's laws have no weight and purpose anymore. Jesus says in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
If the law was useless, then why would Jesus go all the way to fulfil it for us?
Every trial we face is allowed by God to sharpen us, not put us down. It's unrealistic to deny trials and challenges brought by God because they happen to everyone. Instead of seeing it as God's wrath upon us for our sins, we can view it as God's merciful discipline to lead us to his sanctification process.
This is because God's law is not an extension of hate, fire and brimstone, but of love. Compliance to God's ways and God's laws brings the promise of blessing and fruitfulness.
Joshua 1:8 tells us that as we meditate on God's Word and His laws we will have good success. God gives us the law to receive blessing, and Jesus fulfils the law so that blessing now comes by faith through grace.
Discipline is also a manifestation of God's grace in that it helps us grow more for God's glory and our own good. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, "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."
Anyone who understands how life works will know that growth is good and growth is natural. Without growth there is no life, and one of the best ways we grow is through discipline.
Discipline should not be viewed as something that can be painful, embarrassing and undesired at times. God disciplines those whom He loves and does so because He is faithful and loving.
