We know 1st Corinthians 13 gives us insight into God’s character and tells us how to love but there’s another aspect of love I want to delve into today. God is a God of love but He’s also a just God (God of Justice). The word “Justice” here means “what’s right”. This is the foundation for the word “righteousness” which essentially means to be right (or in alignment) with God. Look at the following two scriptures. Both are essentially saying the same thing.
Proverbs 3:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
Hebrews 12:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
It’s important to know that God’s love for us includes discipline or chastisement (correction) of us when we’re wrong (Contrary to God). In our society today, we don’t necessary believe or adapt to the above scriptures because if God loves us then he let’s us do what we want but that’s not the case. God would rather correct and discipline us than allow our wayward ways to keep Him from us because when we choose our own way rather than God’s way it eventually leads to separation from God. I don’t know about you guys but I don’t want to ever be separated from God. It’s not a good way to live.
Proverbs 16:25
New International Version (NIV)
25 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
Look at how you’re living today. It may seem right to you but if it’s not in alignment with God and His word then it’s not right. Are you willing to keep living that way and risk separation from God? I’m not just talking eternally which is worse but even while here on earth. You know I think God allows us to experience the death of loved ones to show us how it is to be eternally separated from him. Now think about living separated from God like that.
Hebrews 3:8-15
New International Version (NIV)
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”[a]
12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.
I pray that our hearts will be open and not hardened to receive God’s correction and allow His word to wash us so we don’t end up living eternally separated from Him because of sin!