When we make a mistake or sin, we should not be condemned or feel that God has removed Himself completely from us. But we should realize that such an act is displeasing to God. We can, of course confess the sin to God, and He will forgive us. If, however, a person continues in sin he will find it harder to repent and ask forgiveness. His heart will become hard towards the things of God. In an extreme case, it is also possible for him to lose his salvation.

An act of sin, which comes from disobedience to God’s Word, will bring separation from God. Please remember that all God is waiting for, is for us to repent.

The Word of God and the Spirit of God will bring light into any situation and we will feel uncomfortable. It is sometimes called ‘a still, small voice’ or a feeling in your heart.

Job 5:17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty (NIV)

Corrects is to remove errors from: to take the errors out of something

1/ What is God wanting us to do, if we sin?……………………………
2/ Who has chosen you?……………………………………………………
3/ What does correction mean?……………………………………………

Psalm 94:12 O LORD, blessed is the person whom you discipline and instruct from your teachings. (GW)

To be a disciple of Jesus is to one who is disciplined, and learns from the Word of God.

4/ Where do we learn about God’s instructions?………………………
5/ If we listen to God we will be…………………………………………

Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (KJV)

When we were children our parents would discipline us if we did something that would put us in danger, or we just misbehaved. They did this because they loved us, although at the time we didn’t like what they did, and even thought terrible thoughts about them.

6/ Should we angry with God when we do something wrong?…………
7/ Who does God correct?………………………………………………

Hebrew 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him; 6 for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. (MKJV) 

8/ Should we give up when God is correcting us?………………………
9/ Who will God bless with discipline?……………………………………
10/ Who is God’s child?……………………………………………………

Exhortation is to be encouraging [in kúr ijing, en kúr ijing] giving hope: giving hope, confidence, or courage.
Children of this world, who fall into trouble, fall because they have no boundaries. Boundaries are enforced by discipline. Love must be tough enough to discipline.

1Corinthians 11:31 - If we were judging ourselves correctly, we would not be judged.32 - But when the Lord judges us, he disciplines us so that we won't be condemned along with the rest of the world. (GW)

We, as Christians have a privilege that the rest of the world does not have. We have the Word of God to guide us and show us the areas of our life, which need change.
If we examine ourselves, when the Holy Spirit gently reminds us through the Word of God, that we are about to step out of line, we could avoid the error and a change in behavior would result. But if we choose to override this prompting, we will suffer the consequences.

11/ Who should take responsibility for our sins?………………………
12/ Will God condemn us, if we listen to the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Word, and correct ourselves?………………………………
13/ Who should judge us first?……………………………………………

Psalm 119:67 - Before you made me suffer, I used to wander off, but now I hold on to your Word. Psalm 119:68  - You are good, and you do good things. Teach me your laws.
Psalm 119:69  - Arrogant people have smeared me with lies, yet I obey your guiding principles with all my heart.
Psalm 119:70 - Their hearts are cold and insensitive, yet I am happy with your teachings.
Psalm 119:71  - It was good that I had to suffer in order to learn your laws.
Psalm 119:72  - The teachings that come from your mouth are worth more to me than thousands in gold or silver.
Psalm 119:73 - Your hands created me and made me what I am. Help me understand so that I may learn your commandments.
Psalm 119:74 - Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, because my hope is based on your word.
Psalm 119:75  - I know that your regulations are fair, O LORD, and that you were right to make me suffer. (GW)

The Word of God is powerful. It can set you free if you understand it. We all need to have teaching and direction from the Word of God.
I say the above, because a lot of people look for someone else’s opinion instead of looking to the Word of God. We are called to direct people to the Word of God and not to man’s opinion.

14/ Our hope is based on…………………………………………………
15/ Whose hand created you?……………………………………………
16/ Is learning God’s Word worth more than money?…………………
17/ What is more important, man’s opinion or God’s? Word?…………

Psalm 119:76 Let your mercy comfort me as you promised. 77 Let your compassion reach me so that I may live, because your teachings make me happy. (GW)

Mercy compassion: kindness or forgiveness shown to an offender or to somebody a person has power over him.
God does not want to punish anyone. He wants all to come to the understanding of His Word. When we do so, will make fewer mistakes than we may have made in the past. Then, even if we do make a wrong move, we can seek His forgiveness, which He will give quickly.

18/ If we ask God for mercy will God give it to us?……………………
19/ Teaching makes me…………………………………………

Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me. (MKJV)

If you have sinned, you have not lost your relationship with God. You can come back into God’s presence, simply by repenting.

20/ Where is Jesus standing? At the door of your………………………

There is another form of discipline, which comes from the leadership of the church. But that is another lesson.