What In Tarnation?!?!? In the Classroom

Tuesday before school I was reading Hebrews 12:1-12. I think it has some pertinence to my rant on parental permissiveness. It’s good stuff, take a look, I will focus on verses 5 through 11 (NLT):

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,

“My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,
and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes those he accepts as his children.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

What is God’s purpose in his discipline? It’s goal isn’t punishment but to produce in us holiness. Shouldn’t we model our discipline after God’s? I also find verse six especially interesting. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. What message is a parent sending a child when they choose to not discipline. It would appear that it is not a message of love.

Class dismissed!