Friday, 4 January 2019

Because Adonai disciplines ...

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Question of the day: Can you explain this verse? Hebrews 12:6 "because Adonai disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He accepts."

Answer: "Yes!" So much for one word answers. But first, this comment. I wish the translators had not used the word "punished" to translate the Greek word, mastigo'o, meaning to scourge (flog a victim strapped to a pole), although it does sound a lot like punishment.

God brings hurt into our lives for a purpose. His purpose is always a greater good. Let’s never lose sight of that. God is always building us up, even when it looks like we are being torn down. It is Satan who is always tearing us down, but our God is greater. These following verses say as much…

Hebrews 12:7 "It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons - for what son does a father not discipline?"

Hebrews 12:11 "Now all discipline seems painful at the moment—not joyful. But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Do we all understand the "hot stove" principle? The hot stove burns everyone who touches it. You don't have to believe in it or even have any measure of faith. Believers and non-believers are burned alike. God’s righteous principles are like the hot stove. All who violate them are hurt. God sends His Holy Spirit to bring conviction so that by wisdom we can stay within God's established boundaries.

As you read this, remember the connection between trust and faith. Romans 3:21-22 "But now God's righteousness apart from the Torah has been revealed, to which the Torah and+the Prophets bear witness - namely, the righteousness of God through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua, to all who keep on trusting. For there is no distinction ..."

Romans 3:30 "Since God is One, He will set right the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify the Torah through faithfulness? May it never be! On the contrary, we uphold the Torah."

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."