The Discipline of God (Holiness 6)

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 KJV)

The verse above occurs right in the middle of a very important chapter in the book of Hebrews. I like to call the Book of the Hebrews “the Book of Revelation with respect to the New Covenant.” Most people do not understand this book and every commentary I have ever read on it has been wrong (I have never seen a Watchman Nee commentary on it, so if anyone knows of one, please let me know. Also, I am sure that Lyn Mize, the man who taught me about the salvation of the soul about fifteen years ago, understands it). Almost everyone misinterprets Hebrews because they believe that every reference to salvation in the book refers to the salvation of our spirits effected by the one-time sacrifice for all by Jesus Christ. But, this book was written to Christians, people who already understood that. Hebrews deals with the salvation of our souls (our mind, will, and emotions), not our spirits. This is really true for most of the rest of the Bible as well.

The purpose of history so far has been that God has been choosing and preparing his overcomers, those who will rule and reign with him on his throne in the new heavens and the new earth. These are the “sons of God” the Bible often refers to. (Remember, though, that sometimes the term “sons of God” refers to evil spirits who serve Satan who rebelled against God, so always watch the context). Hebrews 12 concerns a critical aspect of this training, God’s discipline of his sons. God graciously granted me one of six children who is somewhat mentally handicapped. He can do many things and I always have high expectations of him, but he often fails in even the simplest things. So, I have to watch him carefully, correct him often, and love him with a deeper love than I have any of my other children. He sincerely wants to get it right, but he so often fails that the frustration affects us both. Because of his peculiarities I have had to discipline him more than any other child. And so it is with God’s chosen overcomers. There exists a far greater gap between God and any human being than between me and my son. Do we then not believe that God can complete that good and perfect work he has for each of us, even if he expects us to share somewhat in that responsibility? Let us, therefore, take the following words from Hebrews to heart:

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know thatafterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come toMount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:3-29)

It is God’s sons who dare to climb up Mount Zion into his presence, who face the destruction of their very souls within the fires of God. Thus does God purge the sin and wickedness from our hearts and prepare us for princely rule with him. Let us continue to walk onward and upwards into our high calling.

This entry was posted in a perfect stone, Elohim, Firstfruits, Hebrews, Holiness, image of God, New Covenant, New Jerusalem, Overcomers, Prophecy, Righteousness, Salvation of the Soul, Sons of God, the Order of Melchizedek, The Teaching About Righteousness, two witnesses. Bookmark the permalink.

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