Act, Think, Learn For the Future

Read Hebrews 12:1-13


Title in NIV: God’s loving discipline.



I counted 16 names in chapter 11 about people of faith. Vs. 12:1 says since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us (salad bar) throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. I think the heroes of faith in chapter 11 are cheering us on up in heaven.



Vs. 2 has more salad, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Our faith is perfected by situations in our life. We cannot perfect out faith passively. I suggest sticky notes all around: on the mirror, inside the cabinets, in a pocket of your favorite coat. Have the Word all around you until your brain automatically remembers the promises of God and what he wants for your life.



Vs. 2 also says, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” This is an interesting concept to me. It explains that Jesus was thinking ahead, in the future. Jesus did things not for instant gratification like our micro wave society. Examples: movies- instant, Xbox360- instant, oatmeal- instant, pudding-instant, money-instant, drive through beer, drive through Rx, drive through laundry, I’ve even heard there is a drive through chapel in Las Vegas where you don’t even have to get out of your car to get married.



But Jesus was hear for the future. He looked ahead. He endured the cross for the joy set before him. We should live with the future in mind. We might be nicer, we might not buy those shoes, we might not go see that movie, we might give a man on the street money or food, we might pay for the person in line behind us at the drive through, we might reach out and invite a troubled soul to church or to our house to eat just because we have the future in mind.



Live for the future, not the past or the present.



No one likes to be disciplined, but we don’t mind dishing out the discipline (or gossiping about what we would do if we were that mom or wife). When I discipline my children, it is supposed to be in their best interest. Safety from cars, build character, rid of bad character…can you think of any more?



God does the same thing. He treats us as sons.  He has our best in mind. Back then the illegitimate son (those born of a maidservant) were not treated as well as the real son. They were not educated or taught the way the son was. We are God’s son since we have accepted Jesus Christ. God then disciplines us to we can share in his holiness. That is the task of life: to make us holy like he is holy. That task looks toward the future again…making us holy. It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace those who have accepted the training.



So accept the training and make level the path for your feet. How? Study! Good stuff in, good stuff out. Pray and have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Act on the Holy Spirit’s nudge in your life. Find your talents and use them to build up the church. If you don’t know them, ask a friend. We are often blind to our own talents and faults.



Discipline produces righteousness, peace, healing and holiness.

Next week I discuss the danger of disobedience.