When it comes to discipline, just how much is too much?
A dressing
down; a flogging; six of the best as such?
How do we choose a punishment, that truly fits the crime?
And what about
consistency, when done a second time?
We criticise the judges if the penalty is light.
And scream at
them in anger, if they don’t get it right!
But they too have their limits. They do not like our jeers.
Littering does
not deserve a sentence of ten years.
And yet we would be outraged if killers were “let off”.
We’d shake our
heads in anger and at the sentence scoff.
We’d say it wasn’t justice; we’d bitterly complain,
And say that
the death sentence should be brought back again.
Mostly we’ve forgotten that revenge is never sweet.
We think it’s
more appropriate to grab someone and beat,
The living daylights out of him, for turning up his nose,
If somehow,
and by accident, he stands upon our toes!
At times we have forgotten our humour and our mood.
We jump to
snap decisions and on occasions, brood
About what we would like to do. if we could get the chance.
We’d thrash
them so severely; their brains would start to dance.
We must admit that people, can never get this right.
We need
someone to deal with things; someone who’s not in sight;
Someone who’s so consistent, we really can’t complain.
We Christians
have that person! Christ Jesus is His name!
His discipline is perfect; He’s absolutely just.
He comes up
with a sentence that everyone can trust.
And right across the border, each one of us agree,
That justice
has been satisfied, for all the world to see.
And yet there is a problem; we’re sinners one and all.
We think there
is a difference; some big sins, others small.
But that is just a fallacy. Each sin is just as bad.
We’re “monsters
of iniquity” and it is very sad.
We all deserve forever in the lowest pit of hell;
But Jesus came
and died for us; and best as we can tell,
He did it ‘cause He loves us; the price is fully paid.
The big sins
and the little ones regardless of their grade.
We think that there are differences. But that’s the devil’s lie.
The depth of
our depravity, not one of us can spy.
Those He has forgiven are grateful what’s been done.
We gaze in
total thankfulness, at Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
We’re glad we are no better than any other saint.
We’re thrilled
that by His action; the picture that we paint,
Is standing in a place of complete equality.
No one’s any
better off, or any worse than me.
We thank God He has spared us. It’s more than we deserve.
We only look
at others now, to find out where to serve!
Jim Strickland –
Written 18th November 2011
