“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1

I recently was informed about a church that was implementing a policy that all volunteers had to become members.

These volunteers did a variety of things, including counting the offering, and greeting people at the door. It seemed logical, and even necessary that people should be required to express their willingness to come under the authority of the church in order to be entrusted with these tasks.

However, when the policy was being introduced, many young adults in this church responded negatively: “Well, I just won’t volunteer then.”

It is amazing to me that of all the events of Jesus’ life and death, the Spirit would inspire Luke to take account of the moment when Jesus says, “Yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Pause and think about that: all that we have, and all that we are in Christ would have been out of our reach if Christ had not submitted to His Father in that moment.

Jesus submitted to His Father, but that submission to His Father was expressed in submitting to corrupt religious authorities and political leaders. I am taken aback when I think about my own rebelliousness toward leaders, both within the church and outside of it, who are not nearly as corrupt as those Jesus submitted to. I act as though these leaders are outside the realm of my loving Father’s control. Such a response reveals that I am often the fool of today’s proverb.

Who knows what beauty and glory God may accomplish as we turn aside from the cultural milieu of autonomy and rebellion, and humbly submit to those God has put in authority over us.

Father, please reveal ways in which my response to authority has been shaped by the culture, rather than Your Word. Help me focus my fight against my sin rather than the spiritual authorities in my life. Amen.

Take Action

Here are some proverbs to meditate on as you ask the Lord if you are open to correction. Proverbs: 1:23; 3:11; 5:12; 6:23; 10:17; 13:18; 15:5; 17:10; 27:5; 29:1.



Tags: Discipline