John 14:15:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command..”
Parents hope their children will love them -- and not just love them -- but obey them, too.
Our parents knew that most of our problems with disobedience came from a lack of attention -- we would get distracted -- enticed -- tired.
When we got off the track, they would apply a remedy to remind us -- a gentle swat on the bottom -- a measure of time set off to ourselves -- an undesirable chore to do. You know what worked with you!
Punishment is a time-honored way for parents to encouraging discipline. In fact, when most people hear the word “discipline,” they think of punishment. It has a way of encouraging good behavior because the discomfort of the punishment is worse than obeying the rules.
But, at some point, punishment can lose its effectiveness. Were there times when taking the punishment was more attractive than doing what your parents wanted? Did you get too big to discipline effectively, (or just developed a thick layer of calluses where you sit?)
Parents are smart, though, and when they see punishment is not working, they often turn to the other time-honored method of getting results -- rewards!
A reward can help keep our attention focused! -- How many parents have given rewards for good behavior -- filled little pockets with coins for weeding the garden, or helping to keep rooms clean?
But -- like punishment -- a system of rewards can become less effective, especially when children become young adults and they decide the reward doesn’t merit the effort needed to attain it. Did your parents have enough money to reward you for good grades in college?
Punishment and rewards both have a place in discipline. Each has a time, a place, and a purpose. Both, though, have a point where they can become ineffective.
Hopefully, before that time comes, a parent has been able to build up momentum -- a sort of critical mass -- where the discipline of their children is not based on either punishment or reward, but in stead is based on their love for their parents.
Motivation based on how much pain can be avoided, or how much of a reward can be obtained, does not have a long life. But, when a child has a love for his parents, there is no end to their wanting to please them -- even well after their parents are gone.
Love is a much better system for motivating and maintaining discipline. Jesus knew that. He hopes our obedience is a fruit of our love for Him.
God can give you more than you can imagine, and can punish you beyond your fears -- there is a Heaven, and there is a Hell -- a reward, or a punishment.
God, our true Parent, wants our affection and obedience.
Yes, we should both fear Him, and look to Him for our source of life -- but the true motivation He desires for our obedience to Him is to come from our love for Him.
1 John 5:2-4: This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
John 13:34-35 - Love Sets Us Apart
John 13:34-35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Did you know that corporations spend millions of dollars every year just to keep their names, images, and reputations from being confused with someone else?
Trademarks, copyrights and patents are all designed to help a company control and distinguish itself form others, and they are vigilantly guarded against infringement.
“Aspirin,” “Kerosene,” “Linoleum,” “Videotape” and “Zipper” were once trademarks, but because of a lack of diligence to protect these names from misuse, (or in the case of Aspirin, the spoils of World War I,) they have become generic terms for many similar products.
Especially in our world today, we see many products that look similar, and because of the presence of “knock-offs,” they even bear the same names. But, when you examine them closely, there is some trait, characteristic or element that separates the real from the fake -- the authentic from the imitation.
It is the same with “Christianity.”
The book of Acts, as well as the other letters of the New Testament, show us what Christians are. We see how people seeking God came into contact with the cleansing power of the Gospel, and began to lead new lives -- following the path that leads to eternal life with God and the redeemed. And, it is the same today. The power of the Gospel is as strong now as it ever was. A believer can find his way to God through studying His Word.
But -- what about finding others who are also believers?
Unfortunately, “Christianity” is as full of “knock-offs” as the world is. Many call themselves “Christian” -- and have found others to follow along with them -- but do not follow the true pattern found in the Word of God -- do not follow God’s pattern, but have forged their own similar pattern.
The problem with forging a “similar pattern” is that it is not the “authentic” pattern -- not what God, Himself, through Christ, revealed to us.
As His disciples were gathered together in the upper room, Jesus gave them their distinguishing mark -- they were to have a deep love and concern for each other.
As Christians, our following the teachings of the New Testament -- obeying the Gospel -- is of vital importance. But, the distinguishing element that separates Christ’s true followers from all the “copy-cat Christians,” is how we interact with each other -- how we exhibit our concern for the well-being of our fellow believers.
All of the elements might be in place -- all the doctrinal issues might be just right -- all of the practices might be perfectly aligned with Scripture -- but it is our LOVE that sets us apart.
1 John 3:10: This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
1 John 1:4: Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Did you know that corporations spend millions of dollars every year just to keep their names, images, and reputations from being confused with someone else?
Trademarks, copyrights and patents are all designed to help a company control and distinguish itself form others, and they are vigilantly guarded against infringement.
“Aspirin,” “Kerosene,” “Linoleum,” “Videotape” and “Zipper” were once trademarks, but because of a lack of diligence to protect these names from misuse, (or in the case of Aspirin, the spoils of World War I,) they have become generic terms for many similar products.
Especially in our world today, we see many products that look similar, and because of the presence of “knock-offs,” they even bear the same names. But, when you examine them closely, there is some trait, characteristic or element that separates the real from the fake -- the authentic from the imitation.
It is the same with “Christianity.”
The book of Acts, as well as the other letters of the New Testament, show us what Christians are. We see how people seeking God came into contact with the cleansing power of the Gospel, and began to lead new lives -- following the path that leads to eternal life with God and the redeemed. And, it is the same today. The power of the Gospel is as strong now as it ever was. A believer can find his way to God through studying His Word.
But -- what about finding others who are also believers?
Unfortunately, “Christianity” is as full of “knock-offs” as the world is. Many call themselves “Christian” -- and have found others to follow along with them -- but do not follow the true pattern found in the Word of God -- do not follow God’s pattern, but have forged their own similar pattern.
The problem with forging a “similar pattern” is that it is not the “authentic” pattern -- not what God, Himself, through Christ, revealed to us.
As His disciples were gathered together in the upper room, Jesus gave them their distinguishing mark -- they were to have a deep love and concern for each other.
As Christians, our following the teachings of the New Testament -- obeying the Gospel -- is of vital importance. But, the distinguishing element that separates Christ’s true followers from all the “copy-cat Christians,” is how we interact with each other -- how we exhibit our concern for the well-being of our fellow believers.
All of the elements might be in place -- all the doctrinal issues might be just right -- all of the practices might be perfectly aligned with Scripture -- but it is our LOVE that sets us apart.
1 John 3:10: This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.
1 John 1:4: Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Luke 2:5 - Joseph: A Good Father
LUKE 2:5
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
How little credit we give to Joseph. He had to be a man of great faith, discipline and love. In a time when such things were not acceptable, he was seen as a man who had had sex with a woman before they were married.
Now, at the time and location of this verse, most would have no idea, but back home in Bethlehem, I am sure many knew the dates of events, and doing the math, had a very suspicious thought about the morality of Joseph and Mary.
Joseph could have washed his hands of the whole "mess," and in fact had contemplated how he could leave Mary, and do it in a way that her reputation might not be trashed.
Had it not been for a visit from the angel, Jesus might have been from a broken home. Mary might have had to lead a much different life. Jesus might have been an only child.
However, Joseph was a man of faith and character. When he was presented with the whole situation, he was determined to do the right thing.
What would it be like for him -- knowing his first child was not his? Was it any consolation to him to know who the real father was?
Joseph apparently deserves more credit than we give him, for sure. Jesus followed in Joseph's steps as a carpenter, so He learned a skill from him. Joseph was also the one who modeled what a father was to Jesus. How many times did Jesus refer to God as a father, and yet maybe we were shown a part of that role being played by Joseph?
The role of the father is an important one. I wish the world's men understood that role better.
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
How little credit we give to Joseph. He had to be a man of great faith, discipline and love. In a time when such things were not acceptable, he was seen as a man who had had sex with a woman before they were married.
Now, at the time and location of this verse, most would have no idea, but back home in Bethlehem, I am sure many knew the dates of events, and doing the math, had a very suspicious thought about the morality of Joseph and Mary.
Joseph could have washed his hands of the whole "mess," and in fact had contemplated how he could leave Mary, and do it in a way that her reputation might not be trashed.
Had it not been for a visit from the angel, Jesus might have been from a broken home. Mary might have had to lead a much different life. Jesus might have been an only child.
However, Joseph was a man of faith and character. When he was presented with the whole situation, he was determined to do the right thing.
What would it be like for him -- knowing his first child was not his? Was it any consolation to him to know who the real father was?
Joseph apparently deserves more credit than we give him, for sure. Jesus followed in Joseph's steps as a carpenter, so He learned a skill from him. Joseph was also the one who modeled what a father was to Jesus. How many times did Jesus refer to God as a father, and yet maybe we were shown a part of that role being played by Joseph?
The role of the father is an important one. I wish the world's men understood that role better.
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