Spank them well...con't

A short follow up on my most recent post in regards to spanking as a form of loving discipline.

In my opinion the goal of spanking or any form of discipline for that matter is to point your children to the fact that they are born in sin, under the headship of Adam (Romans 5:12).  Their nature is one of sin and rebellion and this will be expressed more and more without the intervention of God's grace, causing the "washing of regeneration."

One of the weightiest desires of heart is to hear John Mark and Amelia say to me "dad, why can't I seem to get it right...why can't I obey."  In the same way that God established the Law to create an awareness of sin, we need to discipline from the same motivation of heart.  If I do that, then when John Mark asks me why he can't seem to obey, then I can explain to him why when sin increases, grace increases all the more
(Romans 5:20)!

For myself, I know that there is rarely a day in which I have disciplined my kids, that I do not feel the twinge of shame knowing that I have disobeyed God more that day than my kids have disobeyed me.  If you have shared that same experience, it is helpful to remember that we are God's children and that He disciplines those He loves.

⁵ And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

⁷ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. ¹¹  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:5-11