Discipline and Sonship: Hebrews 12:7-8
“7) It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8) But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” Hebrews 12:7-8
Discipline is an indication of acceptance in the family. It shows that God is dealing with us as His sons and daughters. He has not abandoned us.
Think about it, parenting involves discipline. It includes caring enough to correct, groom, teach, nurture and encourage. These are indications of acceptance in the family. These are expressions of paternal love.
The child that is left alone and always gets his or her own way is spoiled. Their selfish and reckless ways lead to ruin. They become self centered and void of good character with no sense of boundaries or responsibility. They also lack a sense of security and direction in life.
But the focus of this context is that God not only accepts us, He grooms, nurtures and disciplines us. He does this because we belong to Him. We are not outcasts. We are not abandoned. Discipline is an indication that we are part of the family!
Discipline should be welcomed. Satan spoils and wrecks his own. His goal is destruction. By contrast, God cares for His own. He values us and wants the best for us. He nurtures us toward wisdom, dignity and success. God wants us to have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
When you go through times of discipline and correction in life, it means God has accepted you and not rejected you. It means you are saved and not lost. It means you are part of the family of God. It means God is not ashamed to be called your Father.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
