God is always rooting for me to succeed! This simple truth has transformed my life relationship with God, especially whenever I slip up and fall into sin. I believe God’s focus is always on my future and not on my past; His aim is to get me to the finish line rather than dwell on my past mistakes.
In thinking about this, it has been helpful for me to contrast the difference between punishment and discipline. Although both have to do with past transgression, they have very different purposes. In punishment, the goal is justice - to ensure I am held accountable for my transgressions. God is a just God and my sinfulness, profound. If not for Jesus’ willingness to take my place, what great punishment I would have had to experience for all of eternity.
However, with discipline the goal is growth; To make me more like Jesus. Unlike punishment, discipline doesn’t focus on my past but rather on my future. Hence, there will be no disciplining in heaven. It would be of no value because all sin would have been destroyed, hence no possibility of future transgressions. However there would be punishment in hell, because punishment has to do with past transgressions.
Thanks be to Jesus, through whom there is no longer any punishment left for God’s children! As a result, God never punishes His children; He only disciplines them. Therefore, I can come rushing to God, my Father, in repentance whenever I fall, knowing that whatever God does, He will do it not out of anger but out of love; Not out of a desire for justice but a desire for my growth.
“...My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? … Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” - Hebrews 12:5-10 NKJV
I know I am truly repentant when I…
feel sorrowful for displeasing God.
run to Him because only He can give me victory.
love discipline because through it I learn obedience.
love the truth so I can be saved from sin.
am humble because I am reminded that nothing good dwells in me.
am merciful because I have received so much mercy from God.
remain bold relying not my my own righteousness but Christ's.
rejoice because I receive comfort from my Father!