Endure Trials
For The Sake Of Discipline
Therefore, since
we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every
weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the
race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his
seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who
endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow
weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to
the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that
addresses you as children - "My child, do not regard lightly the
discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the
Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he
accepts."
Endure trials for
the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is
there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have
that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not
his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we
respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father
of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to
them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his
holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the
time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have
been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:1-11
Many Christians
have to be lovingly roughed up before they will grow up. Difficulties may be
needed to wake up a sleeping saint. This may hurt for awhile, but if we yield
to the Lord we will find that life's bruises can mark the beginning of
spiritual advances. We may prefer to remain as "seeds," but He wants
us to become "fruitful trees." There are no gains without pains.
Our Daily Bread -