Moving towards Perfection (3)

A third aspect that marks the path of Christian maturity, in the light of the epistle to the Hebrews, is discipline. Mature children are disciplined. This makes an important difference with younger children; just as in a family, parents are benevolent with the younger ones, but not so much with the older ones.

Along with growing up, responsibilities are assigned, and with responsibilities comes the choice to get it right or to fail. And when we fail through negligence, stubbornness or stubbornness, then discipline is necessary.

God's discipline is about character building. It is not about whether we are children or not (for we are forever), but about becoming a certain kind of person. God builds in us the character of his Son, and in that work he is very patient and laborious. The same God who created the universe with wisdom is the one who today is working in his many children through the Holy Spirit, to bring them to holiness and full righteousness.

In chapter 6 as well as in chapters 10 and 12, Hebrews touches on matters of discipline. It speaks there of Christians who are like a reprobate land, which is about to be cursed (6:8), of a "fearful expectation of judgment" that hangs over Christians who sin willfully (10:27), and of the need for discipline, which confirms our sonship (12:8).

Discipline is a demonstration of God's love, not his wrath. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (12:6). In view of this, the teaching of Hebrews is that we should not despise it, nor should we faint when it is being applied. At present, it is not understood or accepted, but after it passes, in time, the fruit it produces will be proven. What is that fruit? "To partake of His holiness" (12:10), and the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" (12:11). In two words, holiness and righteousness.

Hebrews could not fail to speak of discipline, since it is a letter that deals with Christian maturity. You cannot fail to experience God's discipline, for you are a believer being led by God toward maturity. All is well: God's purpose is to transform us, and the means to achieve this is discipline. This is not new, because the Lord Jesus himself was perfected by afflictions (2:10), and "by what he suffered he learned obedience" (5:8). Be encouraged, then, the troubled heart: You are following in your Master's footsteps!

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