Fatherly Rebuke
Hebrews 12:6 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Chapter 11 in Hebrews is the chapter of the heros of faith such as Moses and Abraham. It speaks of all those in the Old Testament that both suffered, and or persevered through their faith. Then as we go into Chapter 12, it speaks of the sufferings we may also face as a child of God. “For consider Him (Christ) who endured such hostility….lest you become weary and discouraged” (vs.3). God is the perfect Father whom both will reward and discipline. He is truly our role model as fathers ourselves, but we simply cannot hold to His standards. We are more concerned with being our children’s friends, than our children’s parents.
Some come to faith, as a means of escaping the woes of this world. They have been told that once they become Christians, life will be easy. But if we accept that God is our Father, we must accept the rebuke of Him. Because He is just, He only could not rebuke perfection, and the only perfection that has walked this earth, was His Son, that was sent here to die for our sins. “But if you are without chastening, of which you all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not sons.” (vs. 8). That is a scary verse if you come to faith on those grounds, and continue to sin, living a life of ease without rebuke. Matthew Henry said “to go on in sin without a rebuke is a sad sing of alienation from God.” Proverbs 3:11-12 “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights”. Be thankful when God convicts you, and punishes you for a sin, for you have the security that you are a child of His.
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