Hebrews 12:4-11

Hebrews 12:4-11 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 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, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 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! 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. 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.

God disciplines our lives so we might be consistent in our walk, learn righteousness, and love God rather than the world. We who are IN CHRIST should be circumspect and live lives that please the Lord. God knows our basic self-willed, me-first attitude, but He desires for us to willingly put aside our worldly inclinations for his plans and his glory. As the Spirit leads us, we will perform acts of kindness and grace by helping others even when we need help and by placing others before ourselves even when we want to be first. True servants give water to others even though we are thirsty; we sacrifice our needs for the benefit of others. This lifestyle of love and service is usually hard to learn and even harder to follow consistently, but it is a lifestyle of faith. We obey God and minister to people because we believe God is alive and that Jesus our Lord obeyed his Father by living for others and not himself. Our lives of faith confirm that God is a good God who wants to benefit everyone. Any choice other than enduring, constant faith revolves around the self and loves this world more than God.

Living for God involves pain and suffering; it is never easy. At times, we face rejections, envy, even persecution for righteousness sake. People of the world do not necessarily like or affirm those who live for God, testifying of his goodness. Acquaintances, co-workers, or even relatives may call us self-righteous hypocrites or phonies. We must stand confidently by faith, knowing we follow the Spirit inside us who guides us and shows us the will of the Father. When we fail to follow the Spirit or directly disobey him, we fall under God's discipline, for we are his beloved sons and daughters. He wants his ambassadors to reveal his glory, his salvation plan for eternal life. As new creatures, we reveal Christ in us our hope of glory. As Paul wrote, we shine like stars in the universe. When we face discipline, it is because God loves us and wants his best for us. We may meet disappointment and our lives may become harder as God reels us back into his will. We may need a prodigal son's journey from the pig pens of our lives back to the Father's house. But be sure that the Father will seek you and search for you like a lost sheep until He brings you back to his fold.

Today if you feel disheartened, lonely for the fellowship of your Father, return to him. Listen to the Holy Spirit's voice as you walk back home. As you repent of your life and tell God that you do not deserve to be a son or daughter in his household, God will hear your cry. As grace covers you, you will realize that you are willing to be a servant in the house of the Lord for the rest of your life if He will take you back. You will experience a renewed joy and peace, a willingness to obey and to live for God alone. When the Father sees you coming a long way off, He will run to you with open arms and receive you to his heart. The angels in heaven will rejoice because a wandering child has been found. Satan will be defeated as you fall into the arms of the One who loves you and gave his all for you. We may face discipline in life because we have a good parent, but it is his perfect will that we abide in him and enjoy the benefits of his protection and love, his sufficiency and grace. Even if you have strayed a little, recognize the road to sin and bondage before you take another step, and then turn around and look ahead. In the distance, you will see a loving Father coming your way.