The one who heeds
discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others
astray. ~Proverbs 10:17
A person who remains stiff
necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. ~Proverbs
29:1
Endure hardship as
discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his
Father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then
you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had
human Fathers who disciplined us, and we respect them for it. How much more
should we submit to the Father of our Spirits and live! ~Hebrews 12:7-9
This proverb is calling us
to discipline not for our own sakes, but as our responsibility to the
community. We are all influencers. One of the reasons that we are disciplined
is to set an example that will lead others to life. Unfortunately, when we do not
cooperate with the discipline process, “whoever ignores correction leads others
astray.” If we claim to be Christians, our behavior is no small matter. Is this
fair? I suppose that, by the world’s standards, it isn’t. We have an accuser who
loves to make us a target and an example any time he can, especially when it
can make Jesus look bad. Remember, that’s his goal.
We are free in Christ, but
the world does not understand our freedom. There are also times when we as
Christians hold on to coveted pet sins that we really don’t want to get over.
I was reading in Numbers
11, this morning about how the rabble influenced the Children of Israel. For
those of you who don’t remember, when the Israelites left Egypt, many Egyptians
left with them to get away from the devastation in Egypt. That is why, when you
read Exodus through Deuteronomy, God is also including “the aliens among you,”
when he gives commands for sacrifices and feasts. He is hoping that the
Israelites will influence the Egyptians, or “the rabble,” to follow God.
Unfortunately, the rabble
appreciated the security, but weren’t interested in God Himself. So, in Numbers
11, the rabble actually got the Israelites to start complaining about the manna
that God had provided for their daily food. They got the Israelites to remember
all the good food that they had enjoyed in Egypt: leeks, melons, garlic, meat.
It tempted them to start longing for their old diet, even though it was
accompanied by slavery. That’s what I mean by pet sins of Christians. There are
some things that many of us used to do that we don’t do any more, but we miss. We
are free. Those old habits were enjoyed when we were slaves to sin. We might be
able to do them, but if we do, we may also give satan an opportunity to tarnish
the name, and reputation of Jesus.
As the Lord disciplines us
to move further and further away from who we were before Him, He is also
encouraging us to influence those around us and those from our past, for their good,
into the life that He is offering to them. Paul says it this way: “Be careful
that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the
weak.” (1 Cor. 8:9) and: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of
the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for
his good, to build him up.” (Rom. 15:1-2) We have freedom in Christ, but we
also have responsibility to our fellowman. Discipline gives us discernment in
these matters. If we resist what God’s discipline is trying to train in us, or,
as the proverb says, “remain stiff necked,” we will suffer the consequences of
our stubborn ways.
On the other hand, I’d
like to share with you an example, that I received from Voice of The Martyrs,
of those who responded to the Lord’s discipline to influence for the
good.
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About 750 Christians from the Yao people group gathered recently
for fellowship, worship, prayer and mutual encouragement. The Yao believers,
who are spread across three different countries, had never gathered for
worship in such a large group. “This was a highlight year,” a VOM partner
said. “The believers were so encouraged and taught by an excellent African
teacher on family.” Though many of the attendees were very poor, they had
saved up beans and maize to contribute to meals during the conference. And
some of the believers made their own instruments and incorporated traditional
dance into the worship. “It was beautiful,” the VOM partner said. A group of
believers who had experienced a lot of persecution in their village decided
to take their village chief, a Muslim, to the conference. Afterward, he
decided that he and the whole village would follow Jesus. The Yao people have
been predominantly Muslim since Islam’s introduction by Arabs in the early
1800s. Malawi has the highest percentage of Muslims in southern Africa.
Praise God for how He is drawing people to himself.
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Today we are surrounded by unbelievers, who like the rabble of old can either influence us or be influenced by us. But "rabble" is a negative word. God says they are like lost sheep and we need to love and feed them. Let the Church arise! As faithful people love each other and enjoy each other's company other lost sheep will hear Jesus' voice and be moved to draw near as we lift up Jesus' name. Lake City could be a place where believers are noticed as in Acts 5:12-14, "all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number."
Perhaps a good question for all of us as we examine ourselves is, “What kind
of an influence am I?”
Prayer: Lord, let the Church arise! I especially pray for love and unity among all the believers in every congregation. That would have a powerful influence to save souls. Let it be so Lord, in Jesus' name, amen.
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