Love Requires Discipline

Fifty years of artistry had placed a old but vibrant gentleman in the seat of honor. Gathered around were those dressed in black tie honoring the life and work of this fading inspiration. Hung around the hall were examples of a life spent recreating the events and memories that related all humanity together. It was his gift to society and his contribution to the world, his life on display.

Gleaming with confidence, he was approached by a small girl. "I like your paintings. My dad has one in our house, sir." "Well thank you," he replied. The young girl responded, "I wanted one for my room, but daddy said that the cost to much for just my room. I was wondering if you might draw me a picture on the paper I brought so I could hang it in my room?" Flattered the aging artist quickly took the sheet of paper and sketched a picture of the little girl in pencil.

Later that night as the ceremony and peagentry was at its height, the master of ceremonies unveiled what had been heralded as the masterpiece of the artists life. Before it had even been conceived and produced its place in the Louvre had already been promised. Three years of painting went into its creation of which only 2 months were spent on the canvas displayed that night. Scraps and failures were piled in the corner of his studio, wasted canvases discarded until the perfect work was completed.

Gasps came from the attendees as the cloth was removed. It was as if a photo had been taken and placed upon the canvas with oils. There was no doubt that the artist had spent tedious hours crafting and perfecting this amazing work of art.

Which of these works did the artist love more? The pencil sketch of a little girl quickly scratched on paper or oils meticulously spread across a canvas to be hung in a prestigious art museum?

C.S. Lewis writes, "We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character." The very fact that God chooses to discipline his children is the very proof of His amazing love.

Some would say that if God really loved us, then he would do whatever it takes for us to be happy. God would remove all suffering and allow us pleasant existence. Rather than being a divine Father, most want God to be a divine grandfather. Is love nothing more than kindness, or is there more? On this question again Lewis writes, "Kindness consents very readily to the removal of its object - we have all met people whose kindness to animals is constantly leading them to kill animals lest they should suffer. Kindness, merely as such, cares not whether its object becomes good or bad, provided only that it escapes suffering."

Is this the God that we really want? More importantly, this is not the God that scripture reveals. To want a God who is merely concerned with our happiness is to ask for less love, not more.

God disciplines his children because he is scrapping those things that are contradictory to his character, those things that make us unlike Christ. The love of God requires discipline, because he will settle for no less than perfection. God will not quit on you! He will not give up on you! God is constrained by His love for you in Christ and cannot accept anything less than what is in your best interest. Trust in the discipline of God. Heed His corrections. You are a masterpiece in process and the master Artist has many brush strokes left to complete.

As Henry Blackaby writes, "God knows we are missing out on the life for which He created us. Because of His love, God disciplines His people when we depart from Him and sin against Him.

Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves , and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. - Hebrews 12:5-6