- Christ's Love Corrects the Believer
Memory Verses
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Background Scripture: Hebrews 12
Lesson Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13
Introduction
The heavenly Father enriches the lives of His children by His corrections. Contrary to our fleshly feelings, God's correction is not a dark, foreboding thing but is rather an opportunity to find deeper understanding of God's purposes and greater rewards in His service. As we accept God's correction and let Him mold us, we experience His blessings and realize that His adjustments truly are borne by His love for us.
Key Verse
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty (Job 5:17).
Lesson Scripture
HEBREWS 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
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:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
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?
10 For 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.
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.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
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.
Studying the Lesson
Our lesson text begins with the word wherefore. This word links us to the preceding chapter, Hebrews 11, which is often called the Faith Chapter because it lists many of the patriarchs who were faithfully obedient. There we read about men and women who, through faith in God and by God's power, achieved great things. Today's lesson text cannot be fully appreciated unless we set it in context with the preceding chapter.
Those listed in that chapter faced opposition and experienced outstanding tests and trials. Their difficult times were not merely capricious acts of God. Rather, these hardships prepared them to be vessels that God could use to accomplish His divine will. It was by their unwavering faith in God that they were obedient to him regardless of the circumstances. Our heavenly Father proves His love to us not only in the good things He gives us but also through the corrections He sends our way.
The verses in our lesson text are very inspiring. "Let us lay aside every weight. . and.. . run:' This generates courage in us as we consider Paul's deep-seated conviction that we can all be victorious if we take a positive attitude.
Through these verses we are reminded that our chastisements and adversities are brought to us for our benefit. We understand, of course, that in the moment of reproof, the burden may seem heavy and the future may look dark. But by firmly believing in God's goodness we will see beyond the present trial. We can have confidence that the clouds of today are moving—the sun will shine again.
Practical Truths for Today
How does our heavenly Father make known to us His desire for correction? These corrections come in different ways. We have all experienced the Holy Spirit correcting us through a sermon, a council meeting concern, or a brother's reproof. Those who will be sensitive to their own imperfections can expect God to also speak to them through the common situations of life. A trying circumstance or illness may come. There may be a struggle with a co-worker, fellow committee member, or a friend. An innocent comment left by someone in a social setting may help me realize that I have a need in my life. These are all times when God speaks to as. Observing others' examples—both good and bad—are likewise a source of correction in the lives of those who wish to be in the center of God's will.
In order to come through a time of correction with thanksgiving and a sense of enrichment, we must believe in and apply two important realities. First, it must be settled at a heart level that our Father loves us dearly. His correction is for our profit. Our Savior loved us so deeply that He sacrificed His life on our behalf. He will not correct us without purpose. Correction becomes a blessing to us when we reject the fallacy that God is harsh, unreasonable, or uncaring. By faith we need to cherish the truth that God loves us with an everlasting love.
Secondly, we must take personal responsibility to see that the Lord's call to correction is brought to sufficient measure in our lives. In other words, if God is asking for a change, we need to follow through until that change is complete and we have the comfort of the Holy Spirit. If we are called to repentance, we dare not stop until repentance is fully realized. It is our inclination to acknowledge our shortcomings but fall short of reaching full deliverance. In so doing, we rob ourselves of the more abundant life.
Perhaps as a young father, I take note of how some of my peers make the effort to follow God's plan for a happy home. I see how they are taking responsibility for spiritual leadership in their home. I observe how they establish order for their families and teach their children obedience. I must admit that I feel twinges of guilt. I know I need to make correction, but I am too causal.
Perhaps I am a young sister. I have heard many warnings against worldly fashions. I have watched as other young Christians reconsecrate their lives. If I stop to think about it, I know God is asking a change of me, but will I humble myself?
Perhaps I am a middle-aged brother with a strong materialistic drive and substantial holdings. I notice a reflection of myself in my maturing sons. I am a bit alarmed about how this looks in someone else. God seems to be trying to reach me with something, but will I seek God's will with all my heart?
In the many situations of life, we face the need for correction in varying degrees. Sometimes it is that I need to be humble enough to admit my mistake and make a little course correction. Other times the Lord is asking me to repent and, ultimately, make a more major change in my life.
Shallow efforts at correction will undermine our trust in God. We may try to appease our unsettled feelings with a few self-mandated adjustments. Then we console ourselves with "I've tried," yet we feel defeated. Because we have not been victorious, we have not experienced the rich rewards that our heavenly Father offers to those with a broken and contrite heart. People who rest securely in the Father's love are those who are readily corrected. Those who repeatedly resist correction will eventually fall away from God.
The heros of faith enjoyed an intimate relationship with their Creator. Because they were people who were adaptable, God used them to achieve His purposes. They stepped out of familiar surroundings and went beyond customary constraints when God said "Go?' God uses those who are pliable and rewards them with a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. The church needs those whom God can adjust to fit varying responsibilities.
May we fully rest in Christ's love and know that His reproofs and adjustments in our lives are because He loves us; may we realize that yielding to Him secures our relationship.
Questions
- How can I see my need of correction when my brother's mistakes loom so large before me? Share an experience.
- Sometimes negative family traits restrict our usefulness to God and His kingdom. What are ways to effectively prune these characteristics?
- What causes us to become resistant or defiant in the face of needed correction?
- What is the key to becoming a flexible person?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).