LifeLink Devotions

Monday, February 12, 2024

 Introductory note: Last Friday we completed a study of encouragement. The last passage of Scripture I wanted to use on that subject is also the first passage I want to use to introduce our next study. You can see how they are connected when you read today’s verses.

Hebrews 12:4-7 “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.” 

If the average person who calls himself a Christian was asked how he knows he is a son of God, he would probably not come up with the answer described in today’s Bible verses. Granted, it is not the only answer, but it is a significant one. In addition to the more common responses like “I obey God’s commands” (1 John 5:2), “I love the brothers and sisters in Christ” (1 John 3:10), and “I hate sin” (1 John 5:18), we should also be able to say that we know we are a child of God because He disciplines us. It may not be the first response we think of, but it is the only response that I can find that has encouragement connected with it.

Hardship is a universal fact of life. Everyone suffers in one way or another – sometimes in more than one way at the same time. But if we are going to be encouraged by the words of God that describe suffering as discipline, then we must consider the nature of our suffering. Not all suffering is discipline, because not all suffering is a struggle against sin. Some suffering is the result of sin. I see very clearly here that there are two types of Christians. First, there are those who continually struggle with sin and suffer the consequences of their sin while seeking the forgiveness of their Father. They understand grace, but they don’t experience victory. The second type of Christian is the one who continually struggles against sin. He also suffers consequences, but they are not as a result of his sin but rather his stand against sin. His hardships are caused by a sinful society that persecutes him for his faith.

The author of Hebrews tells us that both types of Christians are experiencing the discipline of God. The Christian who sins is rebuked by God because God loves him as a son and wants his behavior to change. This is corrective discipline. The Christian who struggles against sin and then suffers for it is also being disciplined. It is not corrective discipline but rather constructive discipline. His character is being constructed to be the character of Christ. Both types of discipline are for our good, and we must submit to them. Later on in this passage in Hebrews we read “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.”

Consider the maturing process that should occur in all Christian’s lives. As a father and a grandfather, I would not be satisfied if my children and their children stayed at the level of needing corrective discipline. As they grow and mature, there should be less correction and more construction of character. A much higher level of intimacy is achieved between parent and child when construction of character is being accomplished.

That is to be the model for our Christian walk as well. As we grow in our faith, there should be less sin to struggle with and more strength to struggle against sin. Then we will experience the depth of intimacy with Christ that He said is possible. Then we will understand the fullness and abundance of life that He promised. Do not be satisfied with sin. Do not consider it a necessary reality of human existence. You do not have to live with the consequences of sinful choices. You can grow up into a Christian who struggles against sin rather than with sin. You will still have to endure hardships, but they will not be ridden with guilt and shame. Sinful choices bring sinful consequences and shameful experiences. Sacred choices may result in painful consequences which the world intends to shame us, but we have One who has given us a model to follow. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (emphasis mine).

Be encouraged. If you are sinning and suffering for it, God is disciplining you because you are His child so that you can grow up. If you are struggling against sin and suffering for it, God is disciplining you as His son to make you just like His Son. Do not grow weary of the discipline. Do not lose heart. You are being trained to share in the holiness of God. That’s good!

Pastor John