I've been doing some more reflecting on what it means in Ephesians 6:4 to not provoke my child to anger by the way I treat them but to bring them up with the discipline and instruction of the Lord. You see, I think the biggest misconception people have is what the discipline and instruction of the Lord looks like. I think it's easy to understand the instruction of God. God's laws are layed out in the Bible very clearly and Jesus sums them up in
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
God's instructions are to love Him and others. But what about discipline? How does that fit into love? It's hard to understand God's Agape Love. His love is so much bigger than our human minds can fathom. We want to separate Instruction and Discipline. Yet God combines the two into a beautiful combination that is His Agape Love. God Disciplines, He shapes us and molds us into who He wants us to be. But you have to want it. You have to accept that kind of Love. When I begin to listen to that still, small voice I realize that God is calling me with a love and desire that is like nothing I have ever felt. And now as I walk in that Love He is changing me into who He wants me to be so I can Glorify Him now and forever. Okay so how does this relate to training my child in the instruction and discipline of the Lord? Everything!
It means that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can love my children the way God loves me. It means that in those small moments through the day when no one is watching and my child has once again messed up I can bend down and say it's okay I Love you anyways and I'm here to help shape you and mold you into who God wants you to be so that when you're mature enough you can hear God's voice shape you and mold you into who He wants you to be.
