“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Psalm 32:8-9 NIV
Thoroughbred horseracing is often called the sport of kings. The horses, one of the most celebrated breeds of any animal, are bred and trained for speed and endurance. What if the jockeys rode around the track with no bit, bridle, or reins to keep the beautiful animals under control? Absolute chaos would result, as the horses seized control and ran at the high speeds they were bred and trained to do.
God’s Word and the Holy Spirit guide our conduct, like a jockey guides a horse. Unlike animals, we have reason and free will. So, if we decide to be stubborn, reject God, and go our own way, what is the difference between punishment and discipline from God?
My story,
Even though I attended church regularly while growing up, I wandered far from God in my adult years. My diagnosis of breast cancer was my pivotal moment when I realized how far I had drifted from God. At first, I thought God was punishing me for my sin by either causing me to get cancer or allowing it to happen. As I read and study the Bible, I realized the difference between punishment and discipline.
Punishment and discipline
The definition of punishment: a penalty inflicted for an offense, fault, or violation. However, the meaning of discipline is similar but crucially different. Discipline is defined as the punishment inflicted through correction and training.
Therefore, the purpose of discipline is to teach, train and guide to better decision making. God disciplines us for our good, to make us more like Jesus. As the writer of Hebrews stated, “For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” Hebrews 12:10 (NLT).
God disciplines us out of love
God guides us with his loving discipline throughout the race of life. As a result, His discipline corrects and perfects us to be like Jesus.
As Solomon wrote, “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV).
Jesus suffered punishment for us
David confessed his sins (sleeping with Bathsheba and arranging for her husband, Uriah, to be killed) in Psalm 32. In addition, he expressed his joy of forgiveness and God’s unfailing love. However, though David repented and was forgiven for his sins, he continued to suffer the consequences of these sins for the rest of his life. Therefore, we might also suffer consequences for our sins.
As long as we confess our sins and turn from them, we are declared NOT guilty and are NOT punished. Because Jesus took our punishment for us on the cross. Once and for all, He was the final sacrifice. He restored our relationship with God the Father.
Conclusion
I praise God every day not only for welcoming me back to Him with open arms but that I realized the difference between punishment and discipline. God shows His unfailing love by disciplining us as His children. And above all, God sent His Son to earth to be punished instead of us.
