Counsel of Spiritual Life
Counsel #28 — Jesus’ Punishment Brings Peace
Picture: Counsel #28 — Jesus’ Punishment Brings Peace CSL 106.1
Jesus went through terrible suffering and died on a cross. This was a punishment He didn't deserve; He took this punishment for us. Why? The Bible says the cost of sinning—going against God’s ways requires death. Sin steals our peace, separating us from God, the Life-giver.42 But, sinless Jesus, having great love, died in our place, restoring our peace; offering us forgiveness and eternal life. CSL 106.2
To restore our peace, Jesus set an example of practicing self-discipline—self-denial. Discipline can feel hard and unpleasant in the moment.43 But, just as Jesus' suffering brought us the ultimate peace of eternal life, the discipline we choose to embrace daily can bring a deeper kind of peace here and now. CSL 106.3
How does this work? The process of self-control builds character and strength. It helps us overcome bad habits and make better choices. Jesus' punishment brought us the fundamental peace of forgiveness and re-connection with God. Our own disciplined choices, made possible only through God’s Holy Spirit, help us grow in righteousness and cultivate a lasting inner peace.44 CSL 106.4
“He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.” Isaiah 53:5 GW CSL 106.5
“Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success.” Ellen White in God’s Amazing Grace, p. 240 CSL 106.6
Reflect: How does understanding the immense discipline Jesus practiced daily to prepare for His suffering on the cross motivate you to embrace discipline in your own life? CSL 106.7