I was a GOOD kid!

 I was a good kid, not PERFECT, but a good kid. I know this is going to seem weird and maybe a little arrogant. I don't remember getting into trouble and being punished as a kid. I do know some things I did that I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR, but I wasn't caught. I am not going to confess those things right now. (My MOM might be reading this! LOL!) TODAY, as an AGING ADULT, I have become almost an OBSESSIVE RULE FOLLOWER. I really have a difficult time breaking rules. The notable exception are traffic laws. I am not sure why it is so easy for me to break THOSE LAWS. 

Today, I was reading Hebrews 12 and reading about God disciplining his children:

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? 'My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.' As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disicpled us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?" (Hebrews 12:5-9, NLT)

Just because I am a rule follower does not mean I am sinless. I have sinned throughout my life and I am a SINNER SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD. But, just like I am hard pressed to remember a time when I was disciplined by my earthly father, I cannot think of a time when I was "punished" for my sins. AND if you think about it. Jesus died for our sin and when I asked to have my sins forgiven and accept what Jesus did on the cross for me, he took away all the guilt, all the shame, and HE took the punishment that was meant for me. AND he placed it in my heart to do my best to follow his guidelines and instructions for life. Maybe that is the reason I desire to follow the rules. I don't think I am legalistic, but I often think about wanting to PLEASE my Heavenly Father, just like I always wanted to please my earthly father. 

I don't remember being punished by God because HE TOOK ALL THE PUNISHMENT upon himself for me and he is transforming me, changing my heart, filling it with a desire to please Him. 

If that thought doesn't HUMBLE you, nothing will. 

I know, this is a little deep for first thing on a Tuesday morning. But, some times we need to sit back and REFLECT UPON what JESUS really did for us on the CROSS and what he is doing right now to transform us!