Did you ever hear your dad tell you that this would hurt him as much or more than it would hurt you. This would have occurred just before he disciplined you. In a time far removed from now, well not too far, it would have been with a paddle or his belt, or even his hand.

Well when you think about this as a parent it is certainly true. But why is it true? There would only be one reason why a father would say this. Though there could be other reason why a parent might beat a child, still the parent, who communicates the reason for their discipline with a child, and who actually hurts for that child while he or she is doing it is a parent, who is concerned for and who loves that child. All of us as parents may have on occasion disciplined for wrong reasons. Perhaps it was out of anger, rather than love. Paul speaks of why God provides His word for us. He says:

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NASB1995)

God who we know loves us, does correct us. We are no different if we refuse His correction than a child who refuses his parents loving correction. We have all know or heard of some of those children. Unless they make a turn in their life, their life will lay in ruin or even worse.

So God out of love for us corrects us. But here is the wrinkle in todays Christianity. To love one another today does not allow for correction. In fact correction is considered to be unloving.

I am occasionally accused of being unloving because I emphasize God’s truths considering sin and the failure of the liberal church and even some conservative churches to preach truth, and correction, because they “love” so much. But that is not God’s way of love. God is a just Father. He plays no favorites among His children, nor will He among those who reject Him as He passes just judgment on every man when He returns.

It is because God is just and cannot lie that he must judge every man according His word.

Jesus being the word is also the defense attorney in your future trial if you are in Him. He is your advocate with the Father. In Him you are promised eternal life with Him and with Our Father in Their Heaven. Without Him you are warned of a difficult, painful future. Without Him you will fulfill for yourself the penalty phase of a future that you will be judged worthy of.

The Apostle Paul gives us a look into a father’s heart even though he was not a father, but a lover of the gospel and of people.

Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, [separated] from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons [and daughters,] the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the [temple] service, and the promises; 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. (NASB2020)

And to you I say Christ died for you, offering a life eternal free from your sins and your hang ups from this life. Don’t miss out on a relationship with your creator.