When was the last time you were corrected? More importantly, when discipline came your way, did you take it and actually make a change in your life?
When Nathan was sent by God to confront David for his sin with Uriah’s wife and of Uriah’s murder, David simply said, “‘I have sinned against the LORD’” (2 Samuel 12:13). Psalm 51 gives us more details of King David’s heartfelt repentance—let’s note some of the key verses:
“For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me, Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight…” (verses 3-4).
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (verses 10-11).
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise” (verse 17).
Because David was willing to take his correction and profoundly change his approach, God forgave and accepted him and continued to work with him. So great was David’s repentance, that God’s covenant with him continues until this very day, and it will find even greater fulfillment in the future.
All of us need correction, and we, like David did, should seek it from God. Hebrews 12, verses 3 through 11, outlines why Christians will undergo episodes of discipline.
How does this occur?
It happens (or should) when we study the Word of God, when we hear messages from God’s true servants, when we read the Church’s literature (including our booklets and weekly Updates), when we counsel and fellowship, when we privately pray and meditate, and when we are very attentive and receptive as to how God is working in our lives. In everything we do, we should be sensitive to making changes to walk more and more completely in God’s Way. This is possible because we have God’s Holy Spirit.
But we must not ignore or quench God’s Spirit of power (1 Thessalonians 5:19), nor reject learning to think like Jesus Christ thinks (Philippians 2:5).
Here is a promise we can count on if we are true Christians—more discipline lies ahead! The next time you are corrected, will you take it?
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