DISCIPLINE, CHASTISEMENT, INSTRUCTION
Wm. Johnson
You are left here to be educated for another world. Some people think that discipline is punishment. It is not so; discipline is education—often painful but necessary, that we might gain the knowledge of God. The great thing is to take everything from His hand and not to be occupied with second causes. There is something very insipid about a person who has a very even life, so do not be afraid of discipline. There are four ways in which we are disciplined.
In 1 Corinthians 11 in connection with the Lord’s supper, it is corrective; in 2 Corinthians 12: 7, it is preventive, “That I might not be exalted”; in Hebrews 12: 10, it is formative, “in order to the partaking of his holiness”; and in John 15: 2, for the production of “more fruit”.
Your growth is seen in the way you appreciate the will of God, in connection with your destiny; and in the way you can bear with your brethren.