Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

The Highest Expression of Love What parent has not said or thought, “This hurts me more than it hurts you,” while disciplining their rambunctious child? But, though the discipline includes pain for both, proper discipline is the highest expression of love that can be extended from parent to child. No, it is not a pleasant experience, but it is a necessary experience. All of us need discipline at some time or another, and each experience brings us closer to the point where we can be self-disciplined. Children rarely know what is good for them. Neither do they know what is dangerous or harmful to them. The parents’ responsibility is to provide guidance that protects them from such things. Unfortunately, some never get to the point at which they can act in a responsible way, toward themselves or others. Some are so dangerous to themselves or others that they must be incarcerated in order to protect both themselves and their peers. That is also painful and embarrassing. Two basic forms of discipline are available. One is instructive, while the other is corrective. Children need instructive discipline beginning in the earliest months of their lives. As years pass, this instruction becomes deeper and more diverse. Part of this instruction includes the consequences of violating proper behavior. The day then comes when a child must take responsibility for his own actions, and this often requires corrective discipline. This may include some form of punishment, whether verbal or corporal, to show that those actions have harmful consequences. When parents fail to provide both forms of discipline, their children may tend to become rebellious, refuse to conform to acceptable and legal behavior, and then suffer even more severe consequences for their acts. Social scientists have known for decades that a direct correlation exists between parental discipline and juvenile behavior. The Bible gives instruction that includes both instructive and corrective discipline for children: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him,” Genesis 18:19. “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die,” Proverbs 15:10. “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him,” Proverbs 22:15. “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul,” Proverbs 29:17. There is additional instruction in the Bible concerning discipline. It is often called “church discipline” today, but the Holy Spirit calls it “the chastening of the Lord” (see Proverbs 3:11, Hebrews 12:5-11). This discipline is also motivated by genuine love for that one in need of correction. Biblically motivated and practiced, such discipline is the highest expression of love from God to man and man to man. And it can and will be effective. Paul wrote to his brethren that they must be willing to discipline those who are “unruly,” who refuse to live as God demands, to conform their lives to the commands of our Savior. Note the following: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men,” 1 Thess. 5:14. “We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us…if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14. Just as a child needs discipline, a child of God may need to receive corrective discipline at some point. Just as a parent is guilty of neglect in failing to discipline a child, the Lord’s people are derelict if they fail to correct and try to bring back those who have “forsaken the right way,” 2 Peter 2:15. In doing so we are expressing our love for those whose souls are endangered, who face eternity with no hope if they do not denounce their sin and come back to that “right way.” There are Christians in Dripping Springs who need this corrective discipline. With all the love that can be in a brother or sister’s heart, we must do as scripture directs: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted,” Galatians 6:1. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins,” James 5:19-20. It’s time we bring back the lambs who have gone astray. If we love them, we will try. Carl B. Garner

THE BIBLE IS: A MIRROR TO SHOW US OURSELVES (James 1:23). A HAMMER TO BREAK OUR STUBBORN WILL (Jeremiah 23:29). A FIRE TO MELT THE COLD HEART (Malachi 3:2). A SWORD TO PIERCE THE SEARED CONSCIENCE (Hebrews 4:12). A SEED TO QUICKEN THE SOUL (1 Peter 1:23). A LIGHT TO SHOW THE PATH (Psalm 119:105). THE WORD OF LIFE, TO BE HELD FORTH (Philippians 2:16). THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION, TO BE PROCLAIMED (2 Corinthians 5:19). THE WORD OF SALVATION, TO BE HEARD (Acts 28:26). THE WORD OF TRUTH, TO BE RECEIVED (Ephesians 1:13). THE WORD OF FAITH, TO BE BELIEVED (Romans 10:8). THE WORD OF FAITHFULNESS, TO BE HELD FAST (Titus 1:9). This is why we need to ……."Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Timothy 2:15. Malvern, AR bulletin Tom Moore, Editor