Training Through Discipline

October 4, 2016 by

If parents are to bring up children in the Lord, they must instruct them in regard to the truth. However, instruction alone is not enough. Even setting the right example (which we noticed in the previous lesson) is not enough. Sometimes corrective discipline is necessary. The wise man said, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15).

Bringing Up Children in the Lord (cover)In order to understand how to administer discipline, we must understand what “the rod of discipline” is. Though this may not require that parents use a literal rod, they are to use something (a hand, a belt, etc.) that can inflict pain. It may result in the children “crying” (Proverbs 19:18, KJV) and produce “stripes that wound” (Proverbs 20:30). These passages do not justify child abuse, which would be sinful, but are meant to show that discipline should cause some pain for the child so as to reinforce the instruction given by the parents.

It is important that discipline is carried out in love, not in anger. Discipline that is rooted in anger and hatred results in abuse. Discipline that is rooted in love is the type of correction that is commended to us in Scripture. Notice what the Hebrew writer said as he compared earthly fathers with our heavenly Father: “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:10-11). Discipline must be done for the long-term good of the child, not as a way for parents to vent their anger or blow off steam.

The goal of discipline must always be to direct the child in the way of truth. “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol” (Proverbs 23:13-14). Discipline must be administered in order to reinforce the instruction that is given.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, Bringing Up Children in the Lord. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Filed Under: Excerpts Tagged With: ,

Role Models within the Church

September 29, 2016 by

Finally, parents must also be role models to their children in matters relating to the church.

Bringing Up Children in the Lord (cover)First, parents must show an example in making time to assemble. In emphasizing the importance of the assembly, the Hebrew writer said, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Though some may be in the habit of forsaking the assembly, we must not. To forsake the assembly does not mean to simply be absent because one was prevented from assembling through sickness, travel, or something like that. To forsake the assembly is to be absent from the assembly because one has willfully placed other things ahead of his service to God and his commitment to the local church. Parents must teach by example that service to God comes first; therefore, the assembly takes precedence over ball games, choir concerts, and homework. is is all about teaching children priorities. Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). It does little good for parents to tell their children to put spiritual things first if they are not showing by their example that spiritual things – like the assembly of the saints – are important.

Second, parents must show an example of being an active member in the local church. Paul described the local church as a self-edifying body. He wrote, “The whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). Notice he said that “each individual part” had a responsibility. Being active in the local church is not just for preachers, elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, and those who lead in worship – all Christians have things they can do to help the church carry out its work. In describing the church as a “body” with “many members” (1 Corinthians 12:12-31), Paul talked about the importance of every member by making a comparison to the human body. In our physical bodies, the foot cannot say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body” (1 Corinthians 12:15); nor could the eye say to the hand, “I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Every part is necessary; therefore, every member must be active. If parents fail to do what they can within the local church, then by their example they are teaching their children that some members are just not important. Parents ought to be active in the church, not only because God expects it, but because it teaches their children the importance of the local church.

Third, parents must show an example of adhering to the truth. Paul told Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). God has given us a pattern to follow in His word. We must respect it and do what He expects us to do. Are we holding fast the pattern? Are we showing our children the importance of doing this? It has been said that the church is just one generation away from apostasy. is is certainly true. Notice what happened when an untaught generation came along after the deaths of Joshua and those who conquered the land of Canaan with the help of the Lord: “There arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, and they forsook the Lord…thus they provoked the Lord to anger” (Judges 2:10-12). If children are not taught the difference between truth and error, right and wrong, the church of Christ and the churches of men, then when they grow up, they will often depart from the truth. Parents must teach children the importance of doing “all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17).

The above post is an excerpt from the book, Bringing Up Children in the Lord. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Filed Under: Excerpts Tagged With: ,

Truth Is Not Determined by Numbers

September 27, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies. I behold the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Your word” (Psalm 119:157-158).

David’s adversaries were “many” (Psalm 119:157). He considered them, but he did not join them. Instead, he said he loathed them (Psalm 119:158).

We should take this as a reminder to not be tempted to join the majority. Jesus warned about this in the Sermon on the Mount: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Popular opinion will change; but the truth of God’s word will not (Psalm 119:160). Therefore, we must not look at numbers to determine what is right; we must look to the Scriptures.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Filed Under: Excerpts Tagged With: ,

The Sum of God’s Word Is Truth

September 22, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Psalm 119:160).

This twentieth stanza brings together some themes we have seen throughout this psalm. We have already seen in this psalm that God’s word is truth (Psalm 119:43, 142, 151). This same thought is expressed elsewhere in the Bible. In particular, we should note the passages from the New Testament. In Jesus’ prayer to the Father, He said, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Paul identified “the gospel” as “the word of truth” (Colossians 1:5; cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).

The reason why the Bible is the truth is because it is from God. He “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Because of this, the promises contained in His word serve as an anchor for us. The Hebrew writer made this point in his letter: “So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil” (Hebrews 6:17-18). We can have hope because God’s word is right and cannot be wrong.

In considering this point, it is important to note that the sum of God’s word is truth. All of it is true because it is all from God. Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since all of the Bible is
from God, we can be confident that it is all true.

However, many will attack various parts of the Bible, claiming that they are not true, but instead are myths, lies, mistranslations, etc. This is commonly done with events like the Creation (Genesis 1), the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-31), and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (Matthew 28:1-9; et al.). Yet if we reject parts of the Bible – as is often done with examples such as these – how can we believe any of it? The psalmist wrote, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). Faith comes from the word of God (Romans 10:17); but if our faith in the integrity and veracity of the Scriptures is compromised, where does that leave our faith? Regarding the resurrection of Christ, Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). If Jesus was not raised from the dead, our “faith is worthless.” In the same way, if we do not believe His resurrection really happened, our faith is just as worthless. We must always remember that the sum (entirety) of God’s word is truth.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Filed Under: Excerpts Tagged With: , ,

We Must Recognize the Need for God’s Grace

September 20, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name” (Psalm 119:132).

“Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:135).

David appealed to God to turn to him (Psalm 119:132). Of course, he needed to turn to God as well (more on this point later); but nothing he would do would matter if God did not turn to him. Paul reminded the Gentiles, “Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13). If the Gentiles had turned to God but God had not accepted them, they would still be “far off.” God, through His grace, must be willing to accept someone; otherwise, nothing he does will be of any consequence.

Fortunately for us, God has extended His grace to all. But sadly, not all will receive it. Paul said, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11). However, we know that not all will be saved (Matthew 7:13-14). In order to receive His grace, we must be among those who “love [His] name” (Psalm 119:132). We must recognize the need for God’s grace because He does not owe us anything – except punishment for our sins (Romans 6:23) – and we must respond with gratitude and obedience. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). Love, gratitude, and obedience are essential; but they mean nothing without God’s grace first being offered to us.

The psalmist also said, “Make Your face shine upon Your servant” (Psalm 119:135). This is another appeal for grace. This phrase is used several places in the Old Testament to refer to God’s grace (cf. Numbers 6:25; Psalm 67:1; 80:3, 7, 19).

David then tied this back to the word of God: “Teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:135). God extends His grace through His word, not apart from His word. The gospel is “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) and is, therefore, “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). But if we “do not obey the gospel,” we will be lost (2 Thessalonians 1:8). We cannot be saved without grace, but we cannot respond to God’s grace without His word.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

Filed Under: Excerpts Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »