Hebrews as Muse -- Do Not Grow Weary -- Hebrews 12
We learned in Hebrews 11 that we have the example of many who lived by faith, who endured hardship for the promise of God they would not experience in their earthly lifetime. Hebrews 12 continues with words about the “great cloud of witnesses” who cheer us on in our faith (those mentioned in chapter 11) but representative of all who have gone before and endured for the faith. It tells us to run the race. Those who run races need a goal, something in front of them that keeps them moving forward when they grow tired, when the suffering of a long race takes its toll. In this race that focus is Jesus, as we “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2).
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow pain and suffering? Doesn’t he care? Those kinds of questions are often asked when tough times arrive. This chapter of Hebrews can help. “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted…My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (12:3, 5-6). First, bad things happened to God’s son, Jesus, who was perfect. Should we think bad things won’t happen to us? We live in this messed up world and sins have consequences, have collateral damage. God allows freedom of choice, and the impact, both direct and indirect. The impact can either make us bitter or move us toward God and his salvation. If it is the latter, consider it discipline, an opportunity to learn. The reward will come, but it may not be now. Why? Because there is a spiritual battle for our allegiance going on between Satan and God. God allows bad things, but he did not cause them, he just uses them for good IF we allow him.
Our younger generations today are often absent from the efforts of parents, schools, or even churches to discipline them the way they should. And we pay the cost for it in emotionally weak people, unable to cope with life’s realities, unprepared for tough times (or resigned to just accept them); and we see suicide rates rise as people lose hope in a world that seems to be spiraling out of control. For those who seek salvation in Jesus, such cheap grace does us few favors.
Rexanne (my wife) is training for a six-day bicycle event later this month, as I write. Yesterday she rode 77 miles with a lot of hills, about a 4,000-foot total ascent. It was tough, but she knows she will suffer during the event if she does not discipline herself with such training. It is no different with our Christian faith. If we are lazy and don’t attend church, don’t study our Bible, don’t have active Christian friends who challenge us to walk the walk, life will throw us curves we may not be able to handle. So, as we seek to not grow weary in this race, we must understand the discipline that it requires.
The author of the book Holy Grit (Chad Ragsdale) says, “I understand the frustration we feel because of evil, pain, and suffering, but I can’t understand abandoning Jesus in the midst of it. Such a decision doesn’t make the suffering go away; it renders all of the bad things that happen to us as meaningless… Evil wins.” But if we hold onto Christ and discipline ourselves for faithfulness, “the last word isn’t evil, the last word is hope.” Hebrews 12:10 says, “he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness… for without holiness no one will see the Lord.” The good news: we share HIS holiness, and that’s what allows us to see the Lord. “Therefore, let us be grateful for a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (12:28, 29).
Cross Point: We avoid being weary by being rested and strong. And we gain such rest and strength from intentional worship and discipleship.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow pain and suffering? Doesn’t he care? Those kinds of questions are often asked when tough times arrive. This chapter of Hebrews can help. “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted…My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (12:3, 5-6). First, bad things happened to God’s son, Jesus, who was perfect. Should we think bad things won’t happen to us? We live in this messed up world and sins have consequences, have collateral damage. God allows freedom of choice, and the impact, both direct and indirect. The impact can either make us bitter or move us toward God and his salvation. If it is the latter, consider it discipline, an opportunity to learn. The reward will come, but it may not be now. Why? Because there is a spiritual battle for our allegiance going on between Satan and God. God allows bad things, but he did not cause them, he just uses them for good IF we allow him.
Our younger generations today are often absent from the efforts of parents, schools, or even churches to discipline them the way they should. And we pay the cost for it in emotionally weak people, unable to cope with life’s realities, unprepared for tough times (or resigned to just accept them); and we see suicide rates rise as people lose hope in a world that seems to be spiraling out of control. For those who seek salvation in Jesus, such cheap grace does us few favors.
Rexanne (my wife) is training for a six-day bicycle event later this month, as I write. Yesterday she rode 77 miles with a lot of hills, about a 4,000-foot total ascent. It was tough, but she knows she will suffer during the event if she does not discipline herself with such training. It is no different with our Christian faith. If we are lazy and don’t attend church, don’t study our Bible, don’t have active Christian friends who challenge us to walk the walk, life will throw us curves we may not be able to handle. So, as we seek to not grow weary in this race, we must understand the discipline that it requires.
The author of the book Holy Grit (Chad Ragsdale) says, “I understand the frustration we feel because of evil, pain, and suffering, but I can’t understand abandoning Jesus in the midst of it. Such a decision doesn’t make the suffering go away; it renders all of the bad things that happen to us as meaningless… Evil wins.” But if we hold onto Christ and discipline ourselves for faithfulness, “the last word isn’t evil, the last word is hope.” Hebrews 12:10 says, “he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness… for without holiness no one will see the Lord.” The good news: we share HIS holiness, and that’s what allows us to see the Lord. “Therefore, let us be grateful for a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (12:28, 29).
Cross Point: We avoid being weary by being rested and strong. And we gain such rest and strength from intentional worship and discipleship.
Posted in Cross Points