ON CORRECTIONS AND REPRIMANDS

In our struggle to follow Jesus, to shed our blood in our struggle against sin, we may commit sins and mistakes. We are reprimanded for those sins, but fear not. Corrections and chastisements are formative and should not be punitive in nature. They are manifestations of love, which may put us in the right direction once we are lost.  The painful rectifications we receive are the bitter pills we have to take which will strengthen us in our pursuit for holiness. They are signs of God's kindness for those who desire to be with Him.

Jesus comes to our life to mend the broken relationship between God and man. He did this through the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. He healed sick people, performed miracles, and preached the truth. But some reject Him. They refuse to improve their old ways. In the process, His efforts are rendered futile. The affectivity of God's power is fulfilled by the manner of our reception of it in our life. The reception of man spells the difference between ineffectiveness and usefulness of God's might in man. Unless we receive it in faith, it is unable to affect change in our sinful ways. God will not force Himself to us, in as much as He gifted us with freedom. As Christians, our way of life can be likened to a school of discipline which aims to direct and cultivate our lives towards holiness; being with God. Just like in a school, we may simply comply to what is required of us. Without truly integrating these disciplines, imbibing the lessons it teaches us in our life, we can never truly become disciples of Christ.

The Good News is, God will not tire in correcting us; to present to us the proper way towards heaven. He will even provide the grace that will enable us to realize His love expressed through His reprimands. He will never grow weary until such a time comes when we take his commandments, however bitter and painful they may be. We may be tempted to abandon the path Christ presents to us because of the boulders that block us, thistles that hurt us, and people that mock us. We may lack faith in the capacity of God to carry us through, as we carry our crosses and follow Him. But never cease to follow Jesus. You may stop and rest, and believe Jesus is holding that heavy cross for you. He is waiting for you to stand up (from those discouraging results, mistakes and sinfulness), and continue treading the path towards the Kingdom. When that time comes, the moment you stand and decide to continue the journey in following Him, the greatest miracle of God may be performed in us (more than physical or intellectual miracles); a moral miracle: a conversion of the heart, pagbabalik loob sa Dios. Only then can we joyously shed our blood in our struggle against sin; in following Jesus.