God, the Greatest Father
Hebrews 12:3-17
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."
Isn't it true that discipline is painful? But, as we go through that discipline we learn from the mistakes that were made, so that we can avoid them in the future. And that brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
I remember as a kid being disciplined by my father. I always dreaded that point where my father would confront me. 1. I could tell the truth, and then get punished. 2. I could lie, only to have him find out and punish me later. Either option, I got disciplined!
Now looking back, I am glad that my father took the time to discipline me. Now I see that it was all out of love!
It is the same with God, except there is no possible way for us to lie to Him! He allows us to make mistakes, but corrects us when we make the wrong choice. And it is all because He Loves Us!
Yes, we are covered by grace, but we must still accept teaching and correction from our Heavenly Father. And when we do slip, fall, and make mistakes, we must remember to keep short records with God. Repent from the sin and turn back to Him as soon as possible. Living in sin is very dangerous. We should always repent before it is to late.
Jesus, You are the Creator and master of everything. Thank you for Correction and Discipline. Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me even though You know that it does hurt me, for a time, but is better for me in the long run. Please continue to work in my life, bringing me closer to you. Help me to keep short records with you when I do fall, always turning from my sins back to you. Also, please guard me from repeatedly falling into sin. Amen.
In Christ,
David
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."
Isn't it true that discipline is painful? But, as we go through that discipline we learn from the mistakes that were made, so that we can avoid them in the future. And that brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
I remember as a kid being disciplined by my father. I always dreaded that point where my father would confront me. 1. I could tell the truth, and then get punished. 2. I could lie, only to have him find out and punish me later. Either option, I got disciplined!
Now looking back, I am glad that my father took the time to discipline me. Now I see that it was all out of love!
It is the same with God, except there is no possible way for us to lie to Him! He allows us to make mistakes, but corrects us when we make the wrong choice. And it is all because He Loves Us!
Yes, we are covered by grace, but we must still accept teaching and correction from our Heavenly Father. And when we do slip, fall, and make mistakes, we must remember to keep short records with God. Repent from the sin and turn back to Him as soon as possible. Living in sin is very dangerous. We should always repent before it is to late.
Jesus, You are the Creator and master of everything. Thank you for Correction and Discipline. Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me even though You know that it does hurt me, for a time, but is better for me in the long run. Please continue to work in my life, bringing me closer to you. Help me to keep short records with you when I do fall, always turning from my sins back to you. Also, please guard me from repeatedly falling into sin. Amen.
In Christ,
David
posted by Mark 1:17 at 12:08 AM
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