DIVINE DISCIPLINE

I) [Heb 12:5-11]:

(v. 5) '''And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

(v. 6) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

[Notice the word punish which indicates a direct action by God upon His disobedient child]

(v. 7) Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

[Just as human fathers discipline disobedient children, so much the more does our Father in heaven deal directly with His disobedient children]

(v. 8) If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

(v. 9) Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

(v. 10) Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

(v. 11) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.'''

II) [Ps 32:1-11]:

(v. 1) '''Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

(v. 2) Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

(v. 3) When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

(v. 4) For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah

(v. 5) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

(v. 6) Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

(v. 7) You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

[Notice that once sins are confessed, God's protection & deliverance is in force]

(v. 8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

(v. 9) Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

[Notice that a believer must stay in fellowship with God, otherwise be subjected to 'bit and bridle']

(v. 10) Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

[But when God's child trusts in his Father, the LORD's unfailing love surrounds him]

(v. 11) Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!'''

III) [1 Jn 5:16-17]:

(v. 16) '''If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.

(v. 17) All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.'''

[Notice that there is a sin which leads to death, leaving the possibility for God to directly cause the sinful believer to physically die as He frequently did in Old Testament times and in the Church Age as indicated below in Acts 5:1-11]

IV) [Acts 5:1-11]:

(v. 1) '''Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

(v. 2) With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

(v. 3) Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

(v. 4) Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

(v. 5) When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

(v. 6) Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

(v. 7) About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

(v. 8) Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

(v. 9) Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

(v. 10) At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

(v. 11) Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.'''

[Notice that God caused the death of the two individuals]

V) [1 Cor 11:28-30]:

(v. 28) '''A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

(v. 29) For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

(v. 30) That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.'''

[Notice that God caused a number of the Corinthians to become sick and even some to die]

VI) [Lev 10:1-2]:

(v. 1) "Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.

(v. 2) So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD."

Notice that God killed Nadab and Abihu.

VII) OTHER PASSAGES WHERE GOD INTERVENES AND DISCIPLINES BELIEVERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Moses nearly dies when he delays being circumcised.

Israelites are killed in an opened hole in the earth when they violate God's commands

Israelites carrying the Ark are killed by God when they touch the Ark