God Disciplines His Sons: Hebrews 12:1-13

I'm on a roll having found my third favourite passage in Hebrews!

Hebrews 12:2-3

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. Consider him who endured such opposition form sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Our eyes should be set on Jesus at all times. If it weren't for Him, we would be consumed by sin and would be living in a dark world. It it weren't for Him, we would feel the wrath of God for the wrongdoings of man. He took it all on Himself on the cross and through Jesus, God forgave us. Jesus gives us new life full of spirit and energy so that we will not be tired of running this spiritual race.

How do we explain our struggles, pain, sorrow, trials, challenges, obstacles? This is God rebuking us. He is teaching us life lessons through the hard way (by punishment at times) because we are his children. He definitely knows me well because it is through these tough times when I fully grasp the reason why these events are happening and it shows what God is trying to tell me.

Hebrews 12:7

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

It's great to have a Father who can discipline me so that I can grow and become more rooted in my faith. Even now, with my biological father, he has disciplined me well in a way that I know school is important (but not the most important) and have to work hard if I want to have a good life in the future... I know that smoking and drugs are bad for my health and I shouldn't even try in the first place...I know that preventing me from going to the mall with friends until Gr.10 was so that I won't become materialistic and a money spender. God does the same thing. Through these times that may be painful, He uses it so that He can produce in us a righteous attitude and a lifestyle where we continuously strive to be more like His perfect son Jesus.

Hebrews 12:10

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but 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.