The Legitimate Christian

INTRODUCTION

In Australia, the new Essendon Football Club chief executive Andrew Thorburn resigned a day after he was appointed, due to his position in a church with divisive views around abortion and homosexuality.

After it was determined that he served on the board of the church, the mob went digging for dirt and found, in their opinion, a gold mine.

As it relates to the church’s stance on homosexuality, they came across evidence that City on a Hill condemns homosexuality and have on their website an article titled 'Surviving Same Sex Attraction as a Christian'. The article includes a statement that says,'If you struggle with same-sex attraction, it is vital to speak to a mature Christian whom you trust, so you can receive the support and accountability you will need in the long term to survive these temptations.'

As it relates to the topic of abortion, the mob discovered a sermon in 2013 where the pastor made the statement: 'Today we look back with sadness and disgust over concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands of human beings every day through medicine.’

Essendon president Dave Barham responded with this:

“As soon as the comments relating to a 2013 sermon from a pastor at the City of the Hill church came to light this morning, we acted immediately to clarify the publicly espoused views on the organisation's official website, which are in direct contradiction to our values as a club. Essendon is committed to providing an inclusive, diverse and a safe club, where everyone is welcome and respected.

The board made clear that, despite these not being views that Andrew Thorburn has expressed personally, and that were also made prior to him taking up his role as chairman, he couldn't continue to serve in his dual roles at the Essendon Football Club and as chairman of City on the Hill. The board respects Andrew's decision.”

Folks this is all the way in Australia. We have no need to worry here in the FREE United States of America.

Unless you call to remembrance that back in 2015, Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran was fired following a city investigation into a book he wrote that calls homosexual behavior immoral.

Not only is this type of behavior rearing its ugly head in the good ol’ US of A, it is increasingly gaining steam through the acceptance of and indoctrination into the LGBTQ+ agenda.

I believe that the day is coming in the United States where it will become dangerous to openly be a Christian who unwaveringly stands on the truth of Scripture. Whether that is in my generation, or the generation of my children, is yet to be determined.

Why do I bring this up?

Because as we have been studying in the book of Hebrews, a letter written to Jewish believers concerning the superiority of Jesus in everything, it has come to light that they were enduring some persecution.

Read Hebrews 10:32-34

It is quite possible that the Jews hated these believers because they had turned to Jesus away from the teachings of the Jewish rabbis.

The author encouraged his readership by taking a walkthrough of the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11, encouraging them to continue to endure and believe in the promises of God. In chapter 12, verses 1-3, Jesus is offered to us as the model to look to when it comes to How To Effectively Live By Faith.

Now, as we continue on in Hebrews 12, the author returns to the predicament that their readers find themselves in, which is an earmark of The Legitimate Christian.

Read Hebrews 12:4-11

Admonition Concerning Discipline (v. 4-6)

The word “discipline” strikes fear in the heart of most children.

They know that something unpleasant is coming.

“What did I do wrong?” they might wonder.

Or when disciplinary action happens in a school, it is typically in retaliation to undesirable behavior.

The word “discipline” typically conjures up negative feelings for us.

The word discipline is used nine times in Hebrews 12:4-11, and it means “training,” and is used in reference to a father training his child.

The writer of Hebrews is saying that God lovingly disciplines his children to train them to become spiritual champions.

It is a spiritual maturing process that God allows us to experience to become like Christ and align our will with His.

Discipline is not punishment.

God's discipline is not the sentence for our sin. The punishment for our sin was laid on Jesus at the cross, once and forever.

God’s discipline, though not pleasant, is meant for our good.

James 1:2–3 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Read 1 Peter 4:12-16

C.H. Spurgeon If a grandfather of ours should die and leave us five hundred pounds, what a merciful providence that would be! If by something strange in business we were suddenly to accumulate a fortune, that would be a blessed providence! If an accident happens, and we are preserved, and our limbs are not hurt, that is always a providence.

But suppose we were to lose five hundred pounds; would that not be a providence? Suppose our establishment should break up, and business fail; would that not be a providence? Suppose we should during the accident break our leg; would that not be a providence? There is the difficulty. It is always providence when it is a good thing. But why is it not providence when it does not happen to be just as we please? Surely it is so; for if the one thing is ordered by God, so is the other.

Read Isaiah 45:4-7

God brings into our lives both perceived good and perceived bad.

But what is perceived is from our vantage point.

From His vantage point, it is all for our good and because of His love for us.

As His sons, we can expect His training and correction.

Affirmation Through Discipline (v. 7-9)

When faced with the hardship of God's discipline, we should accept it as God's method of training and as a token that we are beloved children of God.

Affliction is not fun, but while you feel the weight of God’s hand upon you, never forget that it is your Father’s hand. Whatever form your trial may take — the loss of a child or of a parent, the loss of income or home, or a body full of aches and pains — the rod of discipline is always in the hand of the Father. And even while the Father disciplines, He loves.

Unlike human parents, he never disciplines in anger. If he did he would destroy us, reducing us to nothing.

Jeremiah 10:24

Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.

It hurts. Discipline is no fun, but it serves a greater purpose. And when God chooses to discipline us, it affirms the fact that we are His children. We are not illegitimate children, because we do receive training through trials.

Read Matthew 5:10-12

Read Mark 8:34-38

Concerned should be the professing Christian who never experiences trials. Whether it is financial, physical, or spiritual, we will face them.

We have already seen in several passages of Scripture that we can expect trials when we profess Christ. Consider the Apostles who left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus] (Acts 5:41).

Advantage From Discipline (v. 10-11)

To live for the Lord is to live in holiness. God’s primary desire for us is that we be holy.

1 Peter 1:14-16

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Because God is perfect, His discipline is always perfect. Human parents discipline as seems best to them, but our best is often mistaken and is always imperfect. Sometimes we punish more out of anger than love. Sometimes we punish more severely than the offense calls for. Sometimes we even mistakenly punish a child for something they did not do.

God always disciplines perfectly. And it is always for our good, that we may share His holiness.

CONCLUSION

What test are you going through? Where are you suffering? What trial is getting you down?

Would any of these "painful" events or seasons be corrective measures of God to steer you back on the track toward becoming like His Son? Have you considered that the tests, trials, and sufferings that you are faced with are God's way of disciplining you?

For all His children, God would like for them to be like His Son. And to accomplish that purpose he disciplines his children. And for us his children to become like Jesus we must endure the discipline and be conformed to His Word.