GOD DISCIPLINES HIS SONS

Ref Hebrews 12:10-13

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.

COMMENT

How do we become sons or daughters of God? Simple! Just accept and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. John 1: 12-13.

On becoming a child of God, a lot happens to us. We are no longer sinners but saints        and that’s what the bible teaches. Those who teach that we must die and then be declared saint because of the good works we performed on earth are wrong. That is contrary to what the bible teaches. Paul in his letters addresses all believers as saints. It is only by exercising faith in the finished work on the cross by Jesus Christ that the grace of God takes over and transforms us. We are made the righteousness of God. Rom 5:19.

The bible declares that we become new creation and therefore the process of transformation begins. God in his wisdom disciplines us to make us holy just as he is. By the suffering, we learn obedience and endurance in all circumstances.

Philippians 4:4 commands us to rejoice always and in the same verse, repeats the same command. It does not matter what may be happening, the rule is that we rejoice in the Lord. We are also urged to give thanks in all circumstances because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus for us. 1Thessalonians 5:18.

The two commands from God to us may appear unreasonable but nothing awkward or irrational can come from God. Everything that takes place on earth is well known and understood by God and is allowed for a good reason. His ways are not our ways. He is not confined to time and space as we are. One day, to him, is the same as one thousand years and vice versa. 

God sometimes allows us to suffer for our sins and mistakes in life; hence the statement often repeated by people that, sins committed on earth are paid for, in the same earth. The statement may not be biblical but can help to explain the following cases of two dear brothers who messed up their lives by getting involved in sin. Both suffered for a long period of time before they finally died in a lot of pain.

The first one was a school teacher and a highly respected born again leader. His sin was deception in an arrangement where he obtained a poor man’s land. The deceived man on realizing that he had lost his land, committed suicide. The brother suffered bodily for a long time and finally lost his mind. He died not even knowing who he was but, I believe, he did not deny or denounce the Lord Jesus. He was not able to make such a decision or take such action due to his health condition.

The other brother was an ordained minister and a close friend. He served in the Presbyterian Church and he was a spiritually gifted evangelist who led many to Jesus Christ. He easily preached salvation and many accepted Jesus as their personal saviour. Towards his old age, he got involved in adultery and as a result he contracted AIDS. As a result, he suffered for several years and died a painful death. Like the other man, his condition made it impossible to denounce his salvation and for that reason, I believe his name is still in the book of life. I also believe both had a chance to confess their sins and forgiveness was granted.

In both cases, people around them were able to learn something important for their lives.

Finally, in Hebrews 5:8-10, it is written, “Although he was a son he learned obedience from what he suffered, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

 Please note that the person here referred to as “son” is JESUS CHRIST himself when he was on earth. If Jesus had something to learn through suffering, what about us?