Legitimate Children
Hebrews 12:7 – Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 – But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illiegitimate and are not sons.
verse 9 – Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 10 – For they disciplined us for alittle while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share in his holiness.
verse 11 – Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. 12 – Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, 13 – and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
To be treated as sons and daughters by God – These verses describe for me the reality that we can’t just identify as God’s children and expect to live like the rest of the world. We will endure discipline. We will endure correction. We will endure change. All God’s children will share a common experience of being corrected by the loving Heavenly Father. He wants us to share in His holiness. The suffering, then, is for our eternal benefit.
Be very cautious of the false teaching of a loving Heavenly Father that does not include discipline as described in these verses. People will fight to be recognized for their unique identities but will refuse to accept God’s discipline. They will reject the suffering that comes with struggling against sin and demand that they are God’s children as they are. The Bible calls them illegitimate.
Jesus wants us to be legitimate children. Let Jesus be our brother in suffering. Let’s endure the discipline. Embrace the correction. Let’s repent and change! The fruit of peace and righteousness awaits all legitimate children. Let’s submit to the Heavenly Father and receive life today!
Where two are gathered 