For our highest good and greatest satisfaction

Hebrews 12:9 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? Out-of-wedlock pregnancies were almost non-existent in the time of the letter to the Hebrews. Everyone reading had a father who disciplined them. On top of that, they lived in the Middle East, in which every culture was an honor/shame culture. Honoring one’s parents was expected, and if one shamed his father, not only did the father shame his son, but the community joined in the discipline process. The statement, “We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them,” could not be so adamantly stated as a fact today as it was when the author wrote it.  Besides the point that we should endure in faith by drawing near to God’s throne for grace to trust and love in the midst of suffering and hardship and keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author continued encouraging them to view their difficulties as loving child-training by their heavenly Father. In their day, one didn’t question the discipline of the father. A father was respected for going to whatever lengths were necessary to train his children for life. Children were expected to respectfully submit themselves to the father’s discipline so they would be prepared for adulthood. The author’s point was that if one respected his father, who was preparing them for life on this earth, how much more should one respect the heavenly Father, who is preparing them for eternal spiritual life?  The earthly father looks ahead at what the child is going to need to be happy in this world in adulthood. The heavenly Father knows what His children need to be happy in heaven, in the new city where they are going to live. Therefore, through the difficulties in life on the earth, He prepares them to inherit His kingdom. If we know our Father is preparing us for His glory in His kingdom, then we endure the training, knowing we will ultimately be grateful and satisfied. May we submit ourselves today to whatever training exercises our Father has for us, knowing it is for our highest good and greatest satisfaction. It is my hope that you will join us in the live to love with Jesus journey by reading my book, Live to Love: Experience Freedom and Joy in Relationships. You’ll find it available in several formats at livetolovewithjesus.com. If you haven’t already visited the site, please stop by and check it out.