Disciplined by the Word

Solomon explains to his son in Proverbs 3 the kind of life he can anticipate as he embraces the wisdom of God and lets his heart keep his father’s commands. It’s a good life! In verses 1-10, Solomon says “keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Unlike Solomon, the Apostle Paul didn’t have a biological son, yet he had a son in the faith. Like Solomon, Paul was eager to impart wisdom and guidance to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul explains to Timothy what he can expect to see in the last days as people reject the wisdom of God and their hearts rebel against their Father’s commands. In verses 1-7 he says “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

The “last days” that Paul warned of are in many ways the antithesis to the good life Solomon described. What both these men implored their sons to take to heart is this- human flourishing happens when we live our lives disciplined by the wisdom and Word of God. And when we don’t- woe to us. As God’s people, we have been made new in Christ, our hearts and minds renewed by his Holy Spirit to more and more reflect Jesus in our thoughts, conduct and the way we love.

Solomon reminded his son “do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Paul’s final charge to Timothy was this- “but as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

One way, perhaps even the primary way, God disciplines us, is through the renewing of our mind that happens as we study His Word. Paul says it’s how we are trained in righteousness. It’s the Word that makes us wise for salvation. It’s the Word that equips us for every good work. Do we want to live lives led by wisdom? Then we must live lives rooted in God’s Word.

God make us a people who treasure Your Word!

Natalie

Need some help learning how to better understand and study the Bible? There’s still space left in our Bible Study Basics workshop on 4/1. Register at https://thebridgealton.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1651211