Daily Writing

Wednesday, 17 April 2019

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. Hebrews 12:11

The author just spoke of the chastening of our human fathers, and then contrasted that with chastening which comes from the Lord. Now he begins with, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present.” The Greek more correctly reads, “All chastening…does not seem.” The negative should be tied to “seem,” not “chastening.” In this, it is speaking of both human and divine chastening. Whatever kind of chastening (all types) are looked at as a downer when received.

In fact, the point of it is for correction of something that is amiss, and it is a type of discipline which is not expected to be enjoyed. It is in the reception of that which is negative that we are to learn to not repeat the things which were wrong in the first place. That is the entire point of chastening instead of positive encouragement. It is not to be joyful, “but painful.” By its very nature, we are to learn from the negative which is brought upon us. With this understood, the author then says, “nevertheless.”

The word is given to set the coming words in a contrast to what has just been stated. The Greek word is a weak adversative particle which simply means “but,” “on the other hand,” etc. The author has presented the truth concerning the negative immediate effects of chastening, but now he shows the positive long-term effects that are intended to come about because of it by saying, “afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

Fruit is something that takes a given amount out time to come about. A tree may not be doing so well, and it isn’t bearing a good harvest. In order to bring about a more productive plant, fertilizer may be added, the tree may be pruned, and so on. The pruning itself may seem to hurt the tree (something which appears negative on the surface to one who doesn’t understand the purpose of pruning), but in time, the tree starts producing more flowers, those turn into buds, then into fruit, and a hugely more productive tree – with a much larger harvest – is finally realized. This is what the author is saying concerning chastening.

There is a seemingly unhappy beginning to the process which may deny the one being chastened peace, but from it, there comes “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” which comes “to those who have been trained by it.” Those who take the chastening to heart, and apply its negative effects to their life in a positive way, will be the better off for it in the end. This is what Solomon was referring to in Proverbs –

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15

Life application: In reading this verse, we might say, “What an understatement!” No one in their right mind likes a good spanking or having their privileges revoked for being disobedient. Even a spanking that doesn’t hurt the body still hurts the feelings. But when we get disciplined, we learn to not do whatever wrong thing we did. It sets a guide for future actions.

If the guide is based on proper chastening, then our actions will be morally aligned in a proper way. If the guide is based on unreasonable anger or simply because the parent is taking his or her frustrations out on the child, the effects can lead to emotional or moral problems.

When the discipline that is meted out is in love and for the child’s betterment, it will produce “the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” When tough moral issues come along later in life, there will be no question about the proper course to take. Likewise, when God disciplines us for our waywardness, He expects a positive result based on His loving hand of correction upon us.

Whatever trials or hardships you are facing, as long as you keep them in the proper perspective, you will see that God is correcting you for a specific reason. It may not be readily apparent, but a day will come when you will understand all that occurred and the great wisdom of the trial. You will be better set for handling future trials in both your life and in helping others through their difficulties. And, above all, you will be molded more and more into the image of Christ. When He comes, there will be far less loss and far more gain in your eternal rewards. Think on this and know that every trial is there for a good end – from an infinitely wise and loving Father.

Lord, help us to understand why we face life’s trials, hardships, and corrections, and give us the ability to rejoice in them – knowing that they are indeed producing a harvest of righteousness and peace in our lives. This is what Your word tells us, and so help us to remember it when the times of trouble come. Amen.

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

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. Hebrews 12:10

The author now continues with his thought of chastening for correction and the expected outcome of that action. In this, he begins with, “For they indeed for a few days.” The intent of these words is the contrasting of what is temporary and of that which is eternal.

A father has the ability to chasten a child for a set period of time. In relation to a human lifespan, it may be one fifth, or even up to one third, of the person’s life that the son is corrected as a youth. And even after the teenage years, a father can continue to correct his son through various means. But even if that continued through until the father’s death, it is still mere “days” in relation to the eternal nature of God. And the positive effects of the father’s chastening will hopefully continue throughout the life of the child, but that life is but a breath compared to the positive effects which come from God’s hand of correction –

“For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
¹⁰ The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
¹¹ Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
¹² So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:9-12

Understanding this, the author continues by saying that our human fathers “chastened us as seemed best to them.” Human fathers may do the best with the circumstances which surround them; but they have limited knowledge, they have limited ability to process any situation and how it will lead to future events, they have limitations on their ability to correctly handle their emotions, and so forth. They can only act within very limited parameters in relation to the situation, but they must act. And so they do as seems best at the moment.

In contrast to this, and speaking of God, he says, “but He for our profit.” The human parent will normally act in a manner which has a positive intent for the child, aiming for what is best for him, even if something negative arises out of his chastening. On the contrary, God knows exactly what will be one hundred percent profitable for His children when He chastens them. There is no “best guess.” Rather, there is perfection of action. The author says this knowing that God cannot err in any way, and thus His correction is so “that we may be partakers of His holiness.”

The intended outcome is geared completely towards this end. The correction we receive from God’s hand will never lead us to a lesser state of holiness. Instead, what occurs is perfectly brought upon us for an exacting and precise outcome. The thing for us to contemplate, then, is that – as children of God – our lives are being directed in the most perfect manner possible for our time and circumstances. If we can truly accept this, then we can know that those things which seem out of control are actually under complete control. This leads to the peace that passes all understanding. God has it all under control.

Life application: Parenting doesn’t come with an operating manual – as any parent knows. Books written to help parents through tough times often come with contradictory messages and even good ones don’t cover all circumstances. And so we discipline our children “for a few days” as we think best. However, because of our own faulty morals and limited knowledge of both present and future repercussions, we often blow it and make things worse.

Because of this, we can then fly to the opposite extreme and fail to discipline at all – thus making things worse in a different way. Also, because of our inner desire to protect our children, we will often decide on a lesser punishment simply because we don’t want to hurt them or break their hearts. Isn’t it complicated? They steal a cookie and we go through a huge dilemma of trying to decide how to handle it!

God, however, is the perfect administrator of justice. For those who haven’t called on Jesus, one type of punishment will be handed out – eternal condemnation. But for His sons through adoption, God disciplines us for our good in order that we may share in His holiness.

When we suffer hardships or trials, we may often be confused as to whether it is God’s correction or just time and circumstance. In either case, we should consider it God’s providential correction and accept it with gratitude. By accepting our situations this way, we learn to share in his holiness. Just as Jesus accepted the reviling, persecution, jeers, and eventually crucifixion from His people, we too should accept what comes our way. Jesus, though not needing correction, still accepted the trials to show us how we too should live.

Lord God, if receiving Your hand of discipline means sharing in Your holiness, then let it come. To Your glory alone. Amen.

Monday, 15 April 2019

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? Hebrews 12:9

The word “Furthermore” is given to extend the thought of what has already been presented. The author has brought in the subject of being chastened by God, and this has been equated to the chastening of a human father. In both, the child is being treated as a son, not an illegitimate.

But more than that, when our human fathers corrected us, did we turn around and say, “You had no right to do that?” Unless the person is utterly depraved, such would not be the case. Instead, he would learn the intended lesson and pay respect to the parent. Otherwise, the correction will not only be repeated, but it will certainly be intensified. Only a dolt would not quickly learn this and submit to the rule and instruction of his father.

With that understanding, the author rhetorically asks, “Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”

Here the word mallon is used. It is a common word used throughout the New Testament. Paul used it in Romans 5 four times. It involves a prioritization or ranking of matters in order to elevate what is better over what is simply good. It was good that our human fathers corrected us, but that was accomplished in the sphere of a family unit comprised of fallen beings who are prone to all kinds of error. Correction may have come to the wrong child. It may not have actually been needed over a matter, and yet it was given out. The correction may have been more, or less, than what was appropriate. It may have been carried out in anger. And so on.

However, in God, the correction is precisely handed out in a perfect manner according to the situation. There is no error in what occurs, and it is exactly what is needed for us to stop and consider our need for coming closer to Him, not further drawing away Him. The only fallible part of the equation will be our response to what occurs, not to how He has handled His part of the matter.

But if we are wise, we will consider that what happened between each of us and our earthy father should be even more precisely handled when the correction comes from our heavenly Father. His is the sphere of the Creator, the One who breathed life into man, who has ordained all things in perfection, and who sustains all things with perfect control. When we consider our lives, and the events which occur in them – as given to us by God – we should be all the more in “subjection to the Father of spirits.”

His sphere is as the One which handles all spirits with the eternal perspective in mind. As we are destined to an eternal walk in His presence, our submission to Him brings, as the author says, life. To “live” isn’t merely speaking of salvation. It is speaking of the here and now. Our lives are true lives when they are lived in accord with the will of the Father. God desires that we live out that true life now, and to allow it to be an anticipatory stepping stone to the life which lies yet ahead.

Life application: A father who properly disciplines his child is respected. Not only out of fear (at the time of punishment), but out of love and appreciation later. Anyone who remembers discipline, which was handed out for real mistakes, learned that it came because of love and a desire to direct to what is proper. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about discipline and it doesn’t shy away from it. Unlike modern day thinking, corporal punishment is recommended for children who misbehave –

“He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” Proverbs 13:24

&

“Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
¹⁴ You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13, 14

Rather than being inappropriate, it is correct to discipline our children. The type of punishment needs to meet the level of misdeed. And when it does, respect – not fear – is the result. In addition to respect we gain a proper moral compass which will last us throughout our lives. Likewise, when the Lord disciplines us, it is for our growth. Rather than being upset and accusing God for our displeasure, we need to thank Him for the loving instruction He’s providing us. Remember these things and when trials or troubles come, thank Him for them. He is revealing His great love for you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible’s lessons on discipline! There have been times when we have not understood all the difficulties we have faced. And even now, when we face hardship help us to know that it is molding us into Your glorious image. Because of this, give us the patience and the heart to accept it as faithful children – obedient even as our Lord Jesus was. Amen.

Sunday, 14 April 2019

But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Hebrews 12:8

The author now turns to a set reason for the Father’s chastening. In this, He says, “But.” This is to contrast what was just said –

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But…”

With the contrast firmly set, he then says, “if you are without chastening.” In essence –

If you endure chastening, X is to be understood.
But if you are without chastening, Y is to be understood.

With this understood, the author continues with, “of which all have become partakers.” The words, “of which,” are speaking of the chastening. In not receiving such correction, the author makes it understood that “you are illegitimate and not sons.”

To be overlooked in correction when correction is due, is how a person would treat an illegitimate son. Such a child has been abandoned by his father, and he is living outside of his care, correction, and upbringing. He goes unrecognized by the father. And this is how those who are not in Christ are treated. If bad things come their way, they cannot say that it is God’s chastening for correction. It is simply time and circumstance, or it might be God’s judgment, but it is not a corrective measure. Until a person comes to God through Christ, they are not considered in the family of God.

Life application: After the previous verse where it says, “God deals with you as with sons,” when you are disciplined, the writer today uses common logic. If your father doesn’t discipline you, then you’re an illegitimate child.

Saturday, 13 April 2019

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? Hebrews 12:7

The author has cited the Proverbs in order to establish the fact that believers can, and should, expect discipline simply because they are loved as children. Now, as an encouragement for that time when it comes, he says, “If you endure chastening.” In this, he is mentally preparing his audience concerning a logical reason why the discipline is forthcoming, and how to consider it when it does, in fact, come.

There are two ways of considering the word “endure” here. The first would be, “If you persevere through chastening.” The sense would be “to bear up under correction.” The second would be “If you receive chastening.” The sense would be “for the reason of correction.” The latter is correct. The purpose of chastening here is for God’s discipline.

As this is so, the author then confirms that in such discipline, “God deals with you as with sons.” In that is found the tie in with the words of the Proverbs. The very fact that discipline has come is because God looks at those who are His as His own children. This is confirmed several times in Paul’s writings, such as, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).

As those who are in Christ are considered sons, the discipline they receive should be considered a mark of love, not an act of wrath. This is certain, because he finishes with, “for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?”

It is an obvious truth that when a father loves his child, he will discipline him for good. It is true, a perverse man will arbitrarily mistreat his children, but that is not under consideration here. The Lord is as a Father to his children, a perfect Father. Thus, His children should be grateful for times of discipline. Of course, it may not be a happy event while it is occurring, but it is a sign of the Lord’s care of those He loves to so chasten them. The author will continue with this line of thought, summing it up in verse 11. He is letting believers know, in advance, that they can take comfort in being corrected.

Life application: For the past couple of verses, the Lord’s discipline upon his sons has been mentioned. The question then is, “How can we tell the difference between His discipline and something else?” It is a valid question and not directly addressed here or elsewhere. For this reason, the author, in essence, says to “endure hardship as discipline…” Got it? Whatever trials you face, whatever hardships, whatever seems to be robbing you of joy – consider it discipline. The exact same things may be common to all people. The difference then is that our hardships are meant to refine us as children of God. This same concept is addressed by James, the Lord’s brother –

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

Thus, our trials indicate that “God is treating you as sons.” These develop perseverance and that in turn leads to becoming a complete and mature Christian.

Understandably, many faithful Christians – maybe even you – are going through almost insurmountable trials. You may have a wayward child, financial difficulties, a spouse who is unfaithful, or even a combination of these. Rather than following what would seem logical and crying out, “Why me Lord?” you can try to find the Lord’s hand, even in these things.

Although the trial remains, understanding that this is developing your character may help you to keep it in proper perspective. And don’t carry the burden alone. Talk to God as your Father and cast your cares on Him – for He cares for you.

Sovereign Lord, you have determined the time, place, and situation in which we find ourselves. You know even the most intimate and difficult trials we face. Thank You for them if they will but bring You honor and develop us as Your children. In Jesus’ name we pray because it is in Jesus that we have become Your children. Amen.