Expressions of Faith. Hebrews 12. Discipline
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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 spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order 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.
Hebrews 12:5-11
Discipline
Proverbs 3:11-12 are the bases for the opening lines of this passage.
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
You can see that good discipline has a teaching side.
Hardship as discipline is an uncommon pairing of ideas. One I usually try to avoid thinking about.
What if we embraced that idea? How would our lifestyles change? How might our understanding of persecution change?
Verse 10b-11a is an important truth. I know that I don’t like pain. Growing up, I tried to do what I needed to do to avoid painful discipline.
Verse 11b brings the best news: Discipline shows us how to be righteous, peaceful people.
Next Expressions of Faith: Peaceful Living
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