Scripture:
Hebrews 12:1-11 NKJV
[1] Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. [4] You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. [5] And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; [6] For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? [8] But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. [9] Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. [11] Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Observation:
Over the past few mornings I have been brought to the letter to the Hebrews several times. In fact if I remember correctly yesterday’s SOAP came from Hebrews chapter 4. As I was reading this morning my mind went back to when my walk with GOD began, and all the stuff that has happened along the way, and the shaping that has taken place as a result. So let’s take a look at what the scripture says. The first word we read is therefore, and as we have said when we find the word therefore for in the Bible we have to look back at what was said prior to what is being said at the moment. What we find in chapter 11 of Hebrews is what is commonly known as the hall of faith. All the patriarchs of the Old Testament. Men and women who have acted on their faith. If you are reading this you have more than likely come across the biblical definition of faith, however if that not something that has been brought across your path yet, it’s found in the first 2 verses of chapter 11 which says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by “IT” the elders obtained a good testimony. I could honestly take just those 2 verses and run with them. Talking about the action it took for Noah to build an arc even though it had never rained on the earth, or even the obedience it took for Abraham to pack up his family and go to where only GOD knows where to start a life separated from his people and the gods they were serving. But the point of this SOAP is a little different than that. The word therefore that we read at the beginning of chapter 12 is there to point us to the patriarchs in the old testament and the things that they endured and the witness that comes from that faith. In fact the point of it all is Jesus. The one who endured the cross. HE took what we deserved so that we would receive GOD’S grace and mercy. As we start to dive into the meaning of these few verses I want us to keep that thought in mind. Reading further into Hebrews chapter 12 the author and finisher of our faith wants us to be encouraged. I know that may seem to be a little out of place especially after reading the word discouraged in verse 3, however look at the context in which it is written we see Jesus the author and finisher of our faith taking the punishment that we deserve so that discouragement would not come to us as we face the issues of life that come our way. As we read in Ephesians chapter 1 and verses 5 and 6, Galatians chapter 4 verses 5 through 7, and Roman’s chapter 8 verses 15 through 17. We have been adopted into GOD’S family and are heirs to GOD through Jesus Christ. In other words you are a son and daughter to GOD the Father. Now I believe that’s important to establish moving forward into what we are about to dive into. The last thing I want to do is make a statement that is not true. Being sons and daughter of GOD is huge, we are heirs of everything Jesus has been given. Though GOD’S grace which is designed to draw us out of the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let’s take a look at what the scripture says about it. I believe verse 4 makes a statement that we should pay attention to. We have not resisted temptation so great that it has caused us to sweat drops of blood. Knowing the price that HE was about to pay… HE did it anyway. Even though HE knew HIS innocence, HE said not a word, but endured the cross. HE took what we deserved so that when GOD chastens us we would know that we are receiving mercy through the shed blood of Christ. That’s why here in verses 5 an 6 it says, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by HIM; For whom the LORD loves HE also chastens, And scourges every son whom HE receives.” i think its important to understand what the word chasten means so that there is no misunderstanding of what is being said, and honestly its all said right here in the scripture, it means to rebuke, restrain, humble, or cause to have some kind of misfortune. So as we look at the and know what Christ endured in our place, knowing that we have been adopted as sons and daughters, we know that because GOD loves us as such, HE will correct us. Verses 7 and 8 explain this in a fashion that is valuable to understand, saying, “If you endure chastening (rebuke, restraint, misfortune, a humbling of ourselves) GOD deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten (correct)? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. The example that is given in verses 9 and 10 relates to our earthly fathers, and how they went about correcting us how their day were short bout as the result we became better people. The respect that we gained for them because they loved us enough to correct us is the point the these scriptures are bringing out. We finish up this mornings observation by making a statement that is powerful and applicable and I will paraphrase it so we can move this process along a little bit its not fun to be chastened, in fact its downright painful at time, but if you allow it to train you it produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
Application:
I remember when I was a kid. My brother and I got some Tonka trucks for Christmas. They were awesome, about 10 inches high by maybe 12 inches long. They were jeeps black and gold with wheels that changed. I still remember pushing them around on my knees playing crash up derby, oh man it was a blast. One day however, we saw the commercial one TV about them claiming that they were indestructible, and after playing crash up derby with them we almost believed it, but had to test the theory. We had a fort carved into some black berries behind our house that we made by beating the bushes back with rocks and sticks. We were boys that’s what we did. After seeing the commercial we took the trucks back into that fort and tested that theory. The rocks and stick were there already so we started to see just how indestructible these trucks were. As it turned out that 10 in tall truck shrunk to about 4 inches. It was a lot of fun, until my dad found out. The correction that came was swift and painful. The sting on my bottom eventually went away but the training that came from it did not. My dad corrected me so that as I grew up I would learn how to respect the things I was given. As this translates into my life as an adult. I have learned from the things I have gone through. I’m not saying I learned the easy way. But I have learned. The consequences of my actions as an adult have brought me to some very dark places. Even after giving my life to Christ I have had the opportunity to experience some things that were not peaceable fruit. Jails and homelessness have trained me to tune my ear to what GOD says. Listening to the still small voice rather then the one that screams in my ear. I say all that to say this, I don’t know where you are right now, but I know this, if you are a son or a daughter of GOD HE will correct you, HE will move you to where HE wants you. I know this from my own experience. I have had some very pain-filled eye openers. Moment I thought I would never make it through, on the other side of those moments I can see GOD’S loving hand not giving me what I deserve. But showing me mercy and grace that I can not begin to explain. If you perhaps find yourself in a place where you feel like you are not experiencing the blessing of GOD because of HIS correction. I challenge you to change your perspective, and see the chastening as a blessing. GOD brings us to HIM through the natural consequences we bring on ourselves. HE is writing a story of faith by correcting our course, pitting us back on the path HE has always intended for us. HE knows exactly what its going to take to get us to look to HIM, HE us the author and finisher of our faith. When I began to look up and ask HIM what I needed to learn, the chastening began to serve its purpose. It became something a blessing as it shaped my character. I know HE is not finished and my prayer today is not that HE don’t teach me. Because I want more of HIM and less of me.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you love us. We know that because you did not leave us trapped in side of our sin. You gave us your grace though the shed blood of Jesus Christ your one and only son. Through that blood you have made us sons and daughters. Thank you for adopting us, and that you for correcting us. You love us enough to not leave us where you found us. In those dark places trapped by guilt, shame, and fear. We know that your correction has been done with the utmost love, and if we had gotten what we deserved we woukd be nailed to a cross. Your mercy and grace had made us who we are today, again thank you. All we can ask for is that we are able to learn what we need to as painless as possible. Give us the wisdom that is only found in your word. Increase our desire to just spend time in communication with you. Bringing are every thought to you before we move at all. Help us to fix our eyes with Lazer focus on the path you have for us. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.