Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. (Hebrews 12:7, 8 NET) The writer of Hebrews makes an assumption that parents are active in disciplining and training their children. Discipline and. training are duties of parents. In fact children who are not disciplined are considered not illegitimate children. The writers point here is that just as parents train their children, God disciplines his people. God trains those he loves. Discipline includes hard times. When hard times come, God's people are to push through. God trains because He wants His children to share in His holiness. Part of the lesson of faithfulness is to remain no matter the circumstances or outcome. Our response is to accept God's discipline and training and understand that He uses hard times to train us f...
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:20, 21 NIV) When God created all things He looked over creation and saw that it was very good (Gen 1:31). That included humanity. You and I have been created good. Today when we look, we can see that not all things are good. If you are like me, there would be times when you would not consider yourself to be good. However the Bible shows that we were made for good, for honourable purposes. Being made for honourable purposes is not determined by your family line or place of birth (nor your state of origin). It is not about your social class nor physical or mental abilities. We are all created for honourable purposes. To be used for good, is as simple as staying away from w...