Discipline for endurance

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? Hebrews 12:7-9 NLT

When we refuse the discipline God is doing to us, we will not grow and deepen our relationship with Him. This is what the writer of Hebrews wants to convey to believers. In fact, the same admonition was given to us from the Old Testament. “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12). We must listen to God’s Word and accept that at times God will correct us when we are erring or turning away from Him. God does not want His children to be comfortable living a life detached from His will. He wants us to forsake worldly desires and pursue a life of godliness. “And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God” (Titus 2:12). God uses hardships and afflictions not to harm us but to cause growth in our lives. This is why we have to “endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children” (Hebrews 12:7). David realized he sinned before God when he went through afflictions and learned his lessons. “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:67, 71). The church at Corinth also went through a process of disciplining from God so that they will not take for granted their relationship with Him. “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). What appears to be harsh at the beginning when God disciplines His children, in reality are His expressions of grace and love. “Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all” (Hebrews 12:7-8).

Blessings,