Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 2:1-4.

 

“¹ But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.

 

² For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?

 

³ This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice;  having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

 

⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears;  not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.”  2 Corinthians 2:1-4. 

 

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Today’s Scripture covers the emotions of discipline.  Today’s Scripture is not like a clear photograph of all the details of discipline;  it is more like an abstract painting that is designed to present and evoke emotions.

 

First, we see the emotion of sorrow.  “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;  yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  Hebrews 12:11.  Discipline is at first sorrowful for both the one who receives the lashings of punishment (the Corinthians) and for the one giving it (Paul). 

 

Second, we see the emotion of love.  Discipline is a proof of love.  “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”  Hebrews 12:6.  “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;  therefore be zealous and repent.”  Revelation 3:19  “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”  Proverbs 13:24 

 

Third, we see the emotion of joy.  The final product of discipline is joy,  “This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice;  having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.”  Verse 3.  ““Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”  Job 5:17  “My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad;  And my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak what is right.”  Proverbs 23:15-16.  “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4.

 

In conclusion, despite all of this, we see little discipline in our churches and homes.  We need to be reminded that our Reformed Confession teaches us that discipline is one of the three marks of the true church.  “…  The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these:  if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein;  if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ;  if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin:  in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.  …”  Article 29 of The Belgic Confession  Click here: The Belgic Confession of Faith