When one accepts Christ they are born again. They are introduced to the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. A new born baby is cared for and loved by parents who heap affection on their child. They take care of EVERYTHING! They even act like their poop is cute! OK, maybe not to everyone, certainly not to me, but I've heard some ladies say something to that effect in years past. Bottom line, there is a huge amount of mercy and grace demonstrated due to the child's inability to care for itself.
But as the child matures the method of instruction changes. For example, have you ever noticed you don't have to teach children how to lie? Love administers correction, pain, to teach them there are consequences for lying, not obeying their parents instruction, being disrespectful of elders etc. (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13 & 29:15).
As I matured into my teenage years I played football. You can get hurt if you are not careful. Therefore, the method, content and expectations the coaches put upon us also increased. Their love for us and the game was expressed through drills and disciplines that were forms of tough love. The more you bled and sweated in practice the more likely you'd play safe and win. I learned you were more likely to get hurt when you only played at half speed.
I Learned Tough Love in the Navy
When I joined the Navy, the stakes got even higher. In fact, we operated in an environment sometimes where even in peace time where there was a higher risk of injury and death. Therefore the officers and drill instructors involved in my training confronted even the smallest infractions. Why? Because of the consequences.
I'll never forget Master Sergeant Flagger marching into my first day of Aviation Officer Candidate School and throwing a desk through the wall to get our attention. Why? Because two of his men had been killed trying to rescue a pilot and he was going to make sure that if anyone else died they'd be worth it. My class started with 42 and only 15 of us made it through. His method was designed to create an experience we'd never forget! His motive? Love of the brotherhood, love for the Corps, love for His country. You see, he lived, they lived, we lived what Jesus taught about "greater love has no one than this, than to lay one's life down for his friends." John 15:3
But as the child matures the method of instruction changes. For example, have you ever noticed you don't have to teach children how to lie? Love administers correction, pain, to teach them there are consequences for lying, not obeying their parents instruction, being disrespectful of elders etc. (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13 & 29:15).
As I matured into my teenage years I played football. You can get hurt if you are not careful. Therefore, the method, content and expectations the coaches put upon us also increased. Their love for us and the game was expressed through drills and disciplines that were forms of tough love. The more you bled and sweated in practice the more likely you'd play safe and win. I learned you were more likely to get hurt when you only played at half speed.
I Learned Tough Love in the Navy
When I joined the Navy, the stakes got even higher. In fact, we operated in an environment sometimes where even in peace time where there was a higher risk of injury and death. Therefore the officers and drill instructors involved in my training confronted even the smallest infractions. Why? Because of the consequences.
I'll never forget Master Sergeant Flagger marching into my first day of Aviation Officer Candidate School and throwing a desk through the wall to get our attention. Why? Because two of his men had been killed trying to rescue a pilot and he was going to make sure that if anyone else died they'd be worth it. My class started with 42 and only 15 of us made it through. His method was designed to create an experience we'd never forget! His motive? Love of the brotherhood, love for the Corps, love for His country. You see, he lived, they lived, we lived what Jesus taught about "greater love has no one than this, than to lay one's life down for his friends." John 15:3
You cannot prepare the army of God
using the same disciplines you would use with a little child!
The problem we have today is that a significant portion of the Church majors on the love that is displayed through the Lamb of God to children. They'll never mature unless a father's love is demonstrated through progressive correction (Hebrews 12:6). What do I mean by progressive correction/instruction. I mean as responsibility grows the consequences for failure to perform increases.
Growth is of a child is assured if they are fed. Maturity is assured if they are trained.
God used the Navy as my seminary. I saw many Biblical truths and principles actually applied there than I ever did in the local churches which focused primarily on meeting people's needs. The military prioritized their country and assigned mission first. The people, which are considered very important, were prioritized second. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 about seeking the kingdom first and then all your needs would be taken care of.
The Spiritual War is a Culture War
Bottom line, you cannot prepare the army of God using the same kinds of disciplines you would use with a little child. The truth is, we were born into a spiritual war that spilled from heaven to earth in Revelation 12 and the issue at hand are the souls of men and women and their eternal destiny in heaven or in hell.
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