Heb. 12:9-10

9 Furthermore [eita] [men] we have had [echo] fathers [pater] of our [hemon] flesh [sarx] which corrected [paideutes] us, and [kai] we gave them reverence [entrepo]: shall we [hupotasso] not [ou] much [polus] rather [mallon] be in subjection [hupotasso] unto the Father [pater] of spirits [pneuma], and [kai] live [zao]?

10 For [gar] they verily [men] for [pros] a few [oligos] days [hemera] chastened [paideuo] us after [kata] their own [autos] pleasure [dokeo]; but [de] he for [epi] our profit [sumphero], that [eis] we might be partakers [metalambano] of his [autos] holiness [hagiotes]. KJV-Interlinear

9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. NASB

While children, we were subject to the discipline we received from our parents. When parents discipline appropriately then the child knows that the discipline he is receiving is for his own good and that his parents love him dearly.

Earthly parents aren t perfect. Sometimes parents punish out of anger or even inflict punishment where it isn t deserved. Too often, parents perceive discipline as nothing more than a form of punishment, rather than a tool for correction and teaching. And this is where parents usually mess up when dealing with their children.

Two items related to discipline are mentioned in these versus. The first is that discipline produces life, and the second is that discipline produces holiness. Both of these form a foundation for our relationship with God.

The surest way to lose the respect of a child is to apply discipline unfairly, or to not discipline all. Without the boundaries established by discipline a child lacks guidelines and a frame of reference as to what is proper, or improper behavior.

In order to have a relationship with God we must have a life equivalent to His life. That is eternal life. Eternal life comes with salvation, and salvation comes with believing in Christ.

But also, a relationship with God requires that it must be holy, just as He is holy.

Psa. 119:165

65 Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. NASB

1 Peter 1:16

16 because it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. NASB

Holiness consists of righteousness plus justice. Righteousness is the state of sinless perfection. Justice is the state the cleanliness. Both of these are illustrated by the confession principle of doctrine.

When we were saved, at that moment, all of the sins that we had committed during our life were forgiven. At the cross all sins were judged by God, however they were not forgiven. During our life we commit sins, and those sins, though they have been judged, are forgiven initially when we believe in Christ. This places us immediately in fellowship with God.

However, within a few minutes or perhaps hours of being saved, we will commit another sin. This places us out of fellowship. Being out of fellowship with God means that we have tainted our life. God will not receive us when we are filthy. That means we need a bath. Our spiritual bath comes in the form of confession.

Confession is Gods authorized form for restoring us into fellowship with him. This places us back into a state of sinless perfection and cleanliness. We call this being in fellowship with God.

It is within this sphere of fellowship that we are required to live our spiritual life. When in fellowship, any form of suffering that we might receive is for the purpose of teaching and training us in our spiritual life. It also serves as a form of testing of our faith.

When we live outside of fellowship, then the other categories of discipline apply to our life. That is for punishment, for correction, or even simply to regain our attention.

Most children know intuitively that the discipline and training they receive is for their good and to make them a better person. The discipline and training we received in this life from our earthly parents helped us to orient to life and to be better citizens in our community.

The discipline and training we receive from God does no less. Actually our spiritual life prepares us for far greater things than anything we might encounter or receive in this life.

Earthly parents are imperfect and yet the training we receive from them gives us an opportunity to have a better life in this world. God is perfect and therefore His training is perfect also. Any discipline or training from God is far more important because it has eternal repercussions.

Now is the time to post a prayer.