Discipline of God is a Sign of His Love and Our Sonship

Jerry Mongello brings us into Hebrews 12:5-11.

Are we standing with Israel or not?
**[Psalm 105:5-11 NKJV]:**
Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob His chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance."

**Continuing Hebrews 12:5-11 (context from verse 1):**
**[Hebrews 12:1 NKJV]:**
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

The "weight and sin" refer to worldly cares. As Christians, we should not imitate the world but conform to the image of the Lord.
**[John 8:23 NKJV]:**
"You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world."

**[Romans 12:1-2 NKJV]:**
Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, not conformed to this world.
**[1 Corinthians 1:18-21 NKJV]:**
The message of the cross is foolishness to those perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

**[Hebrews 12:2-4 NKJV]:**
"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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

We must focus on Jesus, who endured the cross and is now at God's right hand, reconciling us to the Father.
The Holy Spirit warns us not to be weighed down by worldly cares and sin. Even when we fall, repentance brings us back to God’s grace and blessings. Remember, once saved, always saved.
**[John 10:27-30 NKJV]:**
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."

**[Hebrews 12:5-6 NKJV]:**
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens."

**[Romans 15:4 NKJV]:**
"Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

**[Hebrews 12:7-10 NKJV]:**
"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?"

God's discipline, though painful, yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
**[Matthew 3:8-11 NKJV]:**
"Bear fruits worthy of repentance."

**[John 15:1-8 NKJV]:**
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

**[1 John 1:8-10 NKJV]:**
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

**[2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV]:**
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

**[Romans 8:1-18 NKJV]:**
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

**Summary:**
In Hebrews 12:5-11, we learn about the importance of enduring God's discipline, which is a sign of His love and our sonship. Discipline may be painful, but it ultimately produces righteousness and peace. We are reminded to lay aside worldly cares and sin, focusing on Jesus, who endured the cross and is the author and finisher of our faith. Repentance restores us to God's grace, and through discipline, we are pruned to bear more fruit, living a life that glorifies God.