Time of Discipline?
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 10:26-31
How … severely do … those deserve to be punished who have trampled the Son of God …
Hebrews 10:29
Sin has consequences. We have learned from the Bible —and personally—how life without God brings terrible results. In today’s verses we are reminded that we may not “keep on sinning after we have received … the truth.” In other words, once we receive salvation in Jesus, it is time to change our ways. And we can do that in God’s strength. Otherwise God may decide to discipline us.
When we face a difficult time, we should ask if this is discipline from God. If it is, then we must repent and not return to the sins that God is disciplining us for.
Perhaps you are lonely because you have allowed relationships to break. Friends and family have forsaken you because of your behavior. With the Holy Spirit’s help you can get right with God and with others, and those relationships can be restored.
Maybe you are reading these words in prison. If you deserve to be there, you know in your heart that you sinned against God and others. Thousands of people have found faith in God during their time of imprisonment. God invites you to join them by sincerely turning or returning to Jesus as your Savior.
Whatever your sin or situation, today is the time to open your life to the Savior, who is seeking you now. This may be a time of discipline, but it is also the time of salvation (see 2 Corinthians 6:1-2). Repent and rejoice!
Dear God, I know I deserve punishment for my sins. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my punishment so that I may be forgiven. Amen.
About the author — Jack Gray
Jack Gray recently retired after forty years as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church. During that time he served seven churches from coast to coast in the United States. He and his wife, Wanda, have four sons and three grandchildren. They also have ministered to 44 foster children. This month’s devotions are inspired by his reflections on time at this transition in his life.
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