Children of God, Part Three: Being His Children Means We Will Be Disciplined

The first passage we’ll look at in this section is Hebrews 12:7-11.

This passage takes a look at the idea of discipline in the life of the believer. We see here that God deals with us as sons, and if He does so, then he is going to discipline us. If we are not being disciplined, then we are not true sons, but rather illegitimate children.

Wiersbe, “All true children of God receive His chastening. All other who claim to be saved, but who escape chastening, are nothing but counterfeits – illegitimate children.”[1]

And the word for “illegitimate children” is nothoi; it occurs only here in the New Testament, and indicates “those who lack the privileges of family and the protection of a father." [2]

Our Father who disciplines us truly does if for our good (v 10). And that good is that we might share in His holiness. Both His set apart nature, as well as His morality. And His discipline produces that righteousness in us: that is, we live as God would have us live, in a manner that pleases Him.

Notes:
[1] Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament Volumes 2. Colorado Spring: Cook Communications Ministries, 2001.

[2] Allen, David. Hebrews. The New American Commentary. Volume 35. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2010.

Books Consulted:

Allen, David. Hebrews. The New American Commentary. Volume 35. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2010.

Archaeological Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.

Bickel, Bruce and Stan Jantz. John: Encountering Christ in a Life-Changing Way. Christianity 101 Bible Studies. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2003.

Comfort, Philip W. and Wendell C. Hawley. Opening John’s Gospel and Epistles. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2003.

Lightner, Robert. The Epistles of First, Second, & Third John & Jude: Forgiveness, Love, and Courage. Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary Series. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003.

McGee, J. Vernon. Ephesians. Through the Bible Commentary Series: The Epistles. Vol. 47. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

McGee, J. Vernon. Galatians. Through the Bible Commentary Series: The Epistles. Vol. 46. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Matthew through Romans. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983.

Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament Volumes 1 and 2. Colorado Spring: Cook Communications Ministries, 2001.