Costly versus Cheap Grace: Part 3

In continuing with this series on costly versus cheap grace, I wanted to interact a bit with Hebrews 12:7-11. I'm currently reading and studying Hebrews, hence all of the references that are being made to this particular book. By the way, if you've never had the opportunity, take some time to examine this incredibly deep and spiritually motivating book. I see it as a partner of the book of James, which means that the concept of putting your faith into action is highly developed in these books.
This particular part of the ongoing series deals with the WAY UNPOPULAR topic of discipline. In the case of Hebrews 12:7-11, the focus is upon heavenly discipline. I say that this topic is wildly unpopular because it exacts a toll, a cost on the part of the one who is disciplined.
Does anybody truly enjoy discipline, more specifically discipline that is given from God? The Bible answers its own question in verse 11. "Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time..." (NRSV). So, don't worry, I'm not going to say that we should enjoy it when we are disciplined by God. However, we should mark it as a sign that we are truly God's children. Why? Verse 7 says, "Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline" (NRSV)?
You might be saying to yourself, "wait a minute, what is this guy talking about? I've always heard that if we are God's children, we will be blessed." Guess what? Discipline is a blessing. Let me explain. Today, particularly in the American church, we hear exactly the opposite. Some may tell you that if you are experiencing discipline, you are simply low on faith. If you have not, it is because you didn't exercise enough faith. With enough faith, we can even have our best life now. This sounds great, but frankly, the best life now, as described by that particular author, who shall remain nameless, isn't found anywhere in the Bible. The best life now, at least the Biblical best life isn't about the biggest house, the best spot in line or the seat of honor at the head table. Sure, we are told that the Father hears our prayers and delights in pleasing his children. Yet, do those scripture references imply material delights? More than likely not. Those scriptures are referring to the things that we really need. Love. Patience. Kindness. Gentleness. In short, the fruit of the spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. Those are what build character, not million dollar mansions. Unpopular? Yes. Realistic and Biblical though? Yes, again.
The truth is, and this is a model from parenting, the more we pamper our children, the more we give into their whims, the more they expect and the more spoiled and soft they become. There's nothing wrong with getting gifts from time to time at all, but when we live to indulge our children, we succeed in leading our children down the path to unrealistic expectations of life. Furthermore, we only help to reinforce an undisciplined lifestyle. In short, by constantly catering to them, we create not mature human beings, but soft, spoiled brats. If that is true with us, why wouldn't it be true with God?
Remember, discipline is actually a blessing. It is truly a form of love that a parent gives to a child because they want to see that child grow up into a healthy and responsible adult. That's the goal of parenting. You have x amount of years to instill into a child what they will need for the future. This means doling out discipline as it is needed and as it is appropriate. God is the same way. Verse 10 tells that God disciplines us "for our good." How can this be? What if God were to grant every request, every prayer, every petition in exactly the way that we desired it at the time? Would we truly be happy? Would we truly understand life? Or would we come to view God as the Cosmic Claus? If we think that we can utter a prayer and possess enough faith to have the best house, the best car, the most beautiful spouse, what does that say about our character and of our view of life? Is this life about material gain or about spiritual gain?
I know this post will not pack folks into a sanctuary. I know it might even ruffle some feathers here. Yet, it is exactly what we NEED, you and I need, to hear. I must admit, I don't enjoy discipline. I'd love, or at least think I'd love, to have God answer my every prayer in my way. But guess what? As close as God is to you and as intimate as the relationship is, he still has the best interest of not only you but everyone else to consider at once. That means that sometimes, what we deem as best for us isn't what is best for others around us. This is one reason, I believe, why our prayers may not be answered as we wish. Furthermore, God's timing is the best timing. He knows what we need. We're told that he even knows what we need BEFORE we pray! With that thought in mind, should we really be too upset when we don't "get our way when we want it?" There may be good reasons why don't. We may actually even need what we are praying for, just not then. Therefore, if something doesn't happen for you when you think it should, don't get despondent. Don't get angry with God. Be willing to ask what God might have in store for instead of what you thought was in store for you. This paradigm shift will go a long way towards instilling a deep and lasting faith, costly as it may be!
Back to discipline. Discipline builds character. It also is an identifying mark of childhood in the kingdom. In fact, if we say we don't want or don't have discipline, we aren't even God's children! (verse 8). How about that? I'm not saying we need to sign up for discipline, but we should be willing to accept it. Discipline also implies a costly grace. To be indulged and given what we want all of the time and to have roses and sunshine all of the time implies a very cheap grace indeed. ANYONE could and would be a believer if that were the case. What would happen to that kind of belief and faith when the first storm came? That person would be just like the man in Matthew 7;26-27, who built his house upon the unsure foundation of sand. What happens to a sandcastle that is built on a beach? When a wave or series of waves comes upon that castle, it batters it until the eventually the sandcastle is reclaimed by the beach and is dissolved. The same thing happens to these who resist discipline.
By refusing discipline, you ask for your "spiritual house" to be built upon an unsure foundation. What's going to happen when the inevitable storm comes? Without discipline, without a tested faith that knows that God will see you through the storm, one way or another, what will be left?
How then should our attitudes be? We should know that when discipline comes into our life that, even though we don't like it, we are experiencing what it means to be God's child. If God allowed his only son to suffer and die, should we expect him to coddle us? yet if God had not given his son, where would we be? Although there is cost and even pain that is associated with discipline, it is that very discipline which will mold and even strengthen our faith, if only we'll possess the proper perspective.
I'm not saying you must go looking for discipline. I'm not talking about possessing a masochistic faith. I am talking about a realistic and a lasting faith. Know that discipline, that trials will come. But also know that we serve a Lord who has overcome all. Know that when we are disciplined, it is "in order that we may share his (God's) holiness" (verse 10, NRSV). It is then that costly holiness that will yield "the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (verse 11, NRSV).
So, if you are feeling like God has forsaken you, if you feel like God is out to shipwreck your faith, or if you have been tempted to ask if you even have enough faith, examine your life. Is discipline there? Are you currently experiencing it? If so, BE THANKFUL! Be thankful that God loves you enough to to do this. Once more, be assured that later on, you will be stronger, you will have greater faith and you will have the peaceful fruit of righteousness as your reward. But first, be willing to accept the costly discipline of God.
Thanks once again for all who have added this blog. I pray this will be a blessing to you and will in some way help to strengthen your faith. Feel free to pass it on, too!