Good parents love their children; they protect and provide for their physical needs. They also discipline them when they disobey. If not, children grow up to be unruly and obnoxious. Parents often struggle to balance these two aspects of love. The best model for balancing love with character-shaping discipline is God Himself. After showing love to ancient Israel by freeing them from slavery, God brought them to Mt Sinai where they promised to obey His laws. Despite this promise, they soon broke it with idol worship. God punished them; He took the lives of 3,000 people. Even so, He did not abandon them as a whole. Instead, God revealed himself to Moses as one who not only shows love by bestowing blessings, but that He also disciplines those who need it. We read in Exodus Ch. 34, God says, “I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty.” Like God, good parents aim to balance loving kindness with loving discipline.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
