Were you every disciplined by your parents? Did they ever tell you that they were disciplining you because they loved you? Did you believe them?
The key word in these verses is "chastening." It comes from the Greek word “paideia" which means
"child training, instruction, discipline; the bringing up of a child, especially its training and education." Chastening also speaks of whatever in adults that cultivate the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing the passions. It also speaks of instructions which aim at the increase of virtue. Chastening does not have in it the idea of punishment, but of corrective measures which will eliminate evil in the life and encourage the good.
The Hebrew believers were experiencing persecution, suffering, and hardships. Because of these, they were weary and were becoming discouraged. The writer viewed the trials of the Christian life as spiritual discipline that could help them to be mature believers.
When we are suffering or experiencing difficulties, it is easy for us to think that God does not love us. In those times, Satan also likes to tell us that God does not love us. So, the writer reminded his readers that chastening comes from the Father's heart of love.
THE PROOF FROM THE SCRIPTURES
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Vs 5-6: 5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto
children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when
thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
The quotation is from Proverbs 3:11, 12. "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;
neither be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father
the son in whom he delighteth." This is a statement which the Hebrew believers had known but had forgotten. This is one of the sad consequences of becoming "dull" toward the Word of God (Hebrews 5:11, 12). This quotation is an "exhortation," which literally means an encouragement."
Because the Hebrew believers had forgotten the Word, they had lost encouragement and were ready to give up.
The key words in this quotation are "son", "children", and "sons." These words are used six times in verses 6-8, and they all come from the same Greek word "uios." The term refers to an adult son and not to a little child. God deals with His children as adult sons because we have been adopted and given an adult standing in the family of God. See Romans 8:14-18 and Galatians 4:1-7. The fact that the Father chastens us is proof that He loves us and that we are maturing. It is the means by which we can mature even more.
Romans 8:14-18 KJV 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but
ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
Galatians 4:1-7 KJV 1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth
nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and
governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were
children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the
fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of
his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a
servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Chastening is the evidence that the Father loves us. Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us. But the opposite is true. It is because God loves us that He chastens us. Sometimes God's chastening is seen in His rebukes from His Word or from the circumstances. There are times when God shows His love by punishing us. Verse 6 , "For whom
the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart.
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THE PROOF FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. Verses 7-ll
Hebrews 12:7-11 KJV 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with
sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave
them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of
spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own
pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now
no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless
afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby.
All of us have earthly fathers. If they were faithful, they had to discipline us. If a child is left to himself and is never corrected, he will grow up to become selfish rebel who will bring shame to his parents. Prov. 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth
his mother to shame." The father chastens only his own sons, and this is proof that they are his children. All true children of God receive chastening. All others who claim to be saved but who escape chastening are nothing more than counterfeits, and not true sons.
An earthly father chastens his offspring so they will show him reverence and respect and will obey his commands. This is why our heavenly Father corrects us. He wants us to reverence Him and obey His will. A child who does not learn submission to authority will never become a useful, mature adult. Verse 9, "Furthermore we have had fathers in our flesh which corrected us, and
we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,
and live?" The suggestion is that if we do not submit we might not live. 1 John 5:16 tells us,
"There is a sin unto death." Ananias and Sapphira are examples of this.
Acts 5:1-11 KJV 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife,
sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to
it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said,
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep
back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?
and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this
thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias
hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all
them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and
carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours
after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered
unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for
so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy
husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down
straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and
found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great
fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
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This chapter relates to the five warnings in this book. As a child drifts from the Word and backslides, the Father chastens him to bring him back to the place of submission and obedience.
If a believer continues to resist God's will, God may permit his life to be taken. Rather than allow His child to ruin his life more and disgrace the Father's name, God might permit him to die.
Thousands of rebellious Israelites died in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-12). Our Heavenly Father chastens us for our profit or benefit so that we might share His holy character.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 KJV 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through
the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And
did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was
Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were
overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent
we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters,
as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and
rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,
and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as
some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur
ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now
all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
THE PROOF OF THE BLESSED RESULTS. Verses ll-13.
Hebrews 12:11-13 KJV 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be
joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the
hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for
your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be
healed.
No chastening at the time it is given is pleasant either to the father or to the son. But the benefits are profitable. The Heavenly Father does not enjoy having to discipline His children, but the benefits "afterward" make the chastening an evidence of His love. There is the "peaceable fruit of righteousness." Instead of continuing in sin, the son strives to do what is right. There is also peace instead of war—"the peaceable fruit of righteousness." The rebellion has ceased, and the child is in loving fellowship with the Father. Chastening also encourages a child to exercise in spiritual matters—the Word of God, prayer, meditation on the Word of God, witnessing, and living a holy life. All of this leads to a new joy. Paul describes it as "righteousness and peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
The important thing is how God's child responds to chastening. He can despise it (Verse 5). He can faint or become weary under it (Verse 5). Both of these are wrong. He can show reverence to the Father by submitting to His will (Verse 9). He can use the experience to exercise himself 245
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spiritually (Verse 11).
1 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise
thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness
is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that
which is to come.
Conclusion
One of the encouragements to Christian living is chastening. Chastening means training, instruction, correction, and discipline. It is designed to bring us to maturity.
Chastening is an assurance of the love of God. The Scriptures remind us of this truth.
Those who allow chastening to work in their lives are blessed as they mature and are obedient to God's will.
How do you respond to the chastening of God? Have you been chastened by God?
If you are being chastening by God, it is because you are not His child. If you are not His child, you need to be saved.
Do you have assurance in your heart that you are a child of God?
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