October 9, 2012
Central Truth
God ALWAYS uses hard times to refine us, teach us, and -- ultimately -- bless us. If we persevere in our training, we can praise God with a thankful heart for the harvest of righteousness upon completing the race.
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him,
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives."
(Hebrews 12:5-6)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 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.
6
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 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? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 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? 10 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. 11 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.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 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; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 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.
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly 1 12:23 Or church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Max Lucado has written, "God loves you right where you are, but He doesn't want to leave you there." Through my walk with Christ, I have learned the truth behind this quote. God loves me so much that He died for me, a sinner, so that His image in me could be restored and I could have a personal relationship with Him (Romans 5:8). His love starts with accepting me just as I am, but continues with a perfect plan to redeem, restore, and do wonderful things through my life.
One of the ways God restores us is by allowing us to suffer the consequences of bad choices. Discipline is sometimes defined as "punishment inflicted by way of correction and training." I learned this in college, when I rebelled against God by dating a guy who was clearly not part of God's plan and wasn't good for me either. God used the heartache that was a consequence of my disobedient choice to teach me more about His love for me and as a way out of my sin. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Like a loving father, God let me experience the pain of poor choices so that I eventually would stop trying to make things work my way and cry out, "Not my will, but yours, Lord."
I know from personal experience how painful God's discipline often is. However, knowing that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:7a: "God deals with you as with sons"), we can be confident that the discipline for our growth is for our ultimate good. The Father who created us knows ultimately who we are supposed to become, which is a people who live and share in His holiness. His Word promises we will go through many seasons of trial and hardship on the way to this holiness. As Christ-followers, we are called to trust His sovereignty, fix our eyes on Jesus, and confidently receive God's love for us. Every hardship I have endured following Christ has and will ALWAYS lead to peace and harvest of righteousness.
1. Is your "walk" with God through His discipline painting a blurry or clear picture of Christ that others can follow?
2. Are you responding to God's discipline with self pity, thinking you don't really deserve it? Do you have anger and resentment toward God?
3. Are you asking for His will and purpose in it?
4. Reflect and journal on a few times when God has "disciplined" you throughout your life and the outcome(s) for your growth. Thank Him and praise Him for loving you so much to refine you!
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
October 8-12 (Hebrews 11-James 2)
Read Hebrews 11.
• What is the definition of faith?
• Is it easy or hard for you to believe things that you cannot see?
Activity: Make a "HALL OF FAITH" chart with four columns (Name, New Testament verses, Old Testament verses, and Act of Faith). Read through each little section of Hebrews 11, writing down the names of the people listed and what their act of faith was. Next, go to the Old Testament and find their story. Take time to read their story and talk about how they showed faith. Record their Old Testament references on your chart. Then, take time to think about people you know. Add their names to your "Hall of Faith" chart and record how they have shown their faith in God.