Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ? -JEHOVAH COUNSELS AND DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN

"Why are you so angry and dejected?  If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? . . .  Will you get the mastery over  [sin]?"  (Genesis 4:6, 7)  That was timely counsel coupled with positive direction.  Jehovah thus warned Cain when it was apparent that Cain was on a very dangerous course.  Sadly, Cain did not heed that warning, and he suffered for it.  (Genesis 4:11-13)  When Jeremiah's secretary, Baruch  felt weary and despondent, Jehovah gave him counsel to help  him see the reality of his problem.  Unlike Cain, Baruch accepted Jehovah's counsel and this preserved his life.  -Jeremiah 45:2-5. 

"Those whom Jehovah loves he disciplines, in fact, he scourges everyone whom he receives as a son." wrote Paul.  (Hebrews 12:6)  Discipline, however, is not limited to punishment.  It takes various forms.  There are many examples in the Bible of faithful servants undergoing extreme trials that may have involved discipline and that trained them.  Think of Joseph, Moses, and David.  Accounts of their lives are among the most detailed and vivid of all Bible characters. Reading how Jehovah was with them throughout their trials and how the came to be used mightily  by Jehovah makes us feel all the more Jehovah's care and love for his servants. -Read Proverbs 3:11, 12. 

Discipline from Jehovah helps us see another aspect of his love.  When those who have done wrong are disciplined by Jehovah and they respond and repent.  "he will forgive in a large way." (Isaiah 55:7)  What does that mean?  David gave a touching description of Jehovah's forgiveness in these words:  "He forgives all your errors and heals all your ailments; he reclaims your life from the pit and crowns you with his loyal love and mercy.  As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions."  (Psalm 103:3, 4, 12)   May we always be sensitive to Jehovah's counsel, even his discipline, and be quick to respond, recognizing that it is an expression of his boundless love for us. -Psalm 30:5.

Next time: Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ? -JEHOVAH PROTECTS  AND SAFEGUARDS US

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