Be Faithful! Be Full of Faith! Part 3

Determine who you are in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:4, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” That is our battle. Have we resisted to the shedding of blood? No, not yet, but that may come! Hebrews 12:5, “And 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:” Chastisement is for our benefit.

Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” Sons is the key expression here. Determine who you are in Christ Jesus. We are the sons of God! Oh! That we could understand the full implications of this promise.

Hebrews 12:8, “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” We can lay no claim to God if we don’t respond to His chastening in obedience.

Hebrews 12:9, “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? 10For 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.” Obedience had its blessing. How much more can our Heavenly Father bless us.

Hebrews 12:11, “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.” Chastening is not enjoyable! However, if we yield to the correction it will bring us into a position of favor and victory as the sons of God. Who are you in Christ Jesus? Sons and daughters of God and recipients of His Holiness.  

Hebrews 12:12, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;” There is not need to be fearful and distressed. Some Christians live in a state of fear. Fear will paralyze your efforts to serve God. Obey God, shake it off and move forward in victory. We are the sons of God.

Hebrews 12:13, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Walk the straight path and God will heal your fear.

Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” We must give Him our total selves, the good and bad, the challenging and pleasant. Give them all, give them all to Jesus, shattered dreams, wasted lives and broken toys. And He will turn the sorrow into joy!