AS A FATHER DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN

Hebrews 12:1-13 / Keywords 12:11

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

 

1. We have been reminded of forefathers who lived by faith in chapter 11. They pleased God and saw the great work of God as they were part of it by faith. Now, Jesus is the greatest example among them all, who bore the cross and shame. As Jesus willingly obeyed God, he became a great example of not being discouraged by the persecution of the world (2).

 

2. If God is in control, why should we suffer? The author reminds us that God lets us go through hardship as discipline (5). A father disciplines his children with all his wisdom to raise them to be competent adults. God also disciplines his children (7). No discipline feels pleasant at the moment. But through discipline, we come to understand God’s heart and share in his holiness (10). We come to realize our hope in the kingdom of God better and come to trust in God's love fully. The purpose of discipline is not to hurt the child but to help him become stronger (13).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for reminding me of your discipline of love. I often feel discouraged when I see your people go through hardship. Please help me to have spiritual eyes to pray for them and encourage them to fight the good fight in your name. Help me to take your discipline with the attitude of a trusting child being taught by his father to grow spiritual muscle and be useful in your work.

One Word God's discipline helps us grow