Setting – God disciplines His children
Content – Verse 1a (NLT), “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith” from chapter 11, (v. 1 NLT) “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress” We don’t want to be weight down by these things because we must (v. 1b NLT) “run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” We will be successful in running this race (v. 2a NLT) “by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” He is our example because (v. 3a NLT) “he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him”. We need to follow this example (v3b NLT) “so that you don't become weary and give up.”
In our race of faith God will discipline us because (v. 6 NLT) “Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children” In our discipline (v. 7 NLT) “remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who was never disciplined?” If we aren’t being disciplined (v. 8b NLT) “it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all.” Since we all disciplined by our earthly fathers (v. 9b NLT) “should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever” And we know that (v. 10b NLT) “God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness” And we all know that (v. 11a NLT) “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful!” and to remember that (v. 11b NLT) “afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
Application – As new covenant believers we have a wealth of biblical examples to follow or not follow. In our walk of faith, we have a heavenly Father who will help us in our walk through directing us, which part of this is discipline. The idea of discipline is to correct our wrongs and the intent is to better us. If we desire to become better then we will submit to the discipline knowing that it will produce a better us. This will help us “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin”.
Discipline is multifaceted. Sometimes it is a rebuke from a fellow believer, consequences resulting from a choice of sin or trials. Our perspective on our discipline will help us through it because we know “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful!” But we know “God's discipline is always right and good for us”.
If we understand that we will face trials and tribulations in this life, then we will also understand that God uses these to discipline us, which will help us to run the race of faith, which we must “run with endurance”
Content – Verse 1a (NLT), “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith” from chapter 11, (v. 1 NLT) “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress” We don’t want to be weight down by these things because we must (v. 1b NLT) “run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” We will be successful in running this race (v. 2a NLT) “by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” He is our example because (v. 3a NLT) “he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him”. We need to follow this example (v3b NLT) “so that you don't become weary and give up.”
In our race of faith God will discipline us because (v. 6 NLT) “Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children” In our discipline (v. 7 NLT) “remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who was never disciplined?” If we aren’t being disciplined (v. 8b NLT) “it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all.” Since we all disciplined by our earthly fathers (v. 9b NLT) “should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever” And we know that (v. 10b NLT) “God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness” And we all know that (v. 11a NLT) “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful!” and to remember that (v. 11b NLT) “afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
Application – As new covenant believers we have a wealth of biblical examples to follow or not follow. In our walk of faith, we have a heavenly Father who will help us in our walk through directing us, which part of this is discipline. The idea of discipline is to correct our wrongs and the intent is to better us. If we desire to become better then we will submit to the discipline knowing that it will produce a better us. This will help us “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin”.
Discipline is multifaceted. Sometimes it is a rebuke from a fellow believer, consequences resulting from a choice of sin or trials. Our perspective on our discipline will help us through it because we know “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful!” But we know “God's discipline is always right and good for us”.
If we understand that we will face trials and tribulations in this life, then we will also understand that God uses these to discipline us, which will help us to run the race of faith, which we must “run with endurance”
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