YOUNG ADULTS - HOW DOES THE COMMAND TO BE HOLY FIT WITH THE CONTINUING IMPACT OF SIN IN MY LIFE?

Hebrews 12:5–14 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

HOW THE LORD ENCOURAGES OUR HOLINESS

CHASTISEMENT (

WE ARE TOLD SEVERAL THINGS

Hebrews 12:5 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

DO NOT DISREGARD IT

THIS IS THE PERSON WHO OVER-DOES GRACE

2. DO NOT BE WEARY BECAUSE OF IT

THIS IS THE PERSON WHO UNDER VALUES GRACE

3. DO NOT MISS THAT IT COMES FROM LOVE

LOVE FOR HIMSELF (SO DO NOT OVER ESTIMATE GRACE) AND THINK YOUR FEELINGS ARE JUST HEARTBURN

LOVE FOR YOU (SO DO NOT UNDER VALUE GRACE AND THINK YOU HAVE SINNED BEYOND REPAIR

DISCIPLINE IS CORRECTION OF OUR WRONGS FOR THE PURPOSES OF SHOWING AND ENCOURAGING US TO DO THE RIGHT THING

DISCIPLINE CAN COME IN VARIOUS FORMS

DESPAIR BECAUSE OF YOUR SIN

LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY

LOSS OF RELATIONSHIP

LOSS OF JOY

ETC

BUT HERE IS THE KEY: WHEN GOD DISCIPLINES US HE IS IT IS FOR TWOP SPECIFIC REASONS

1. MAKING US TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY HIS CHILDREN

Hebrews 12:8 ESV

If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

2. FOR OUR HOLINESS

Hebrews 12:10 ESV

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

BUT HERE IS THE TWIST

YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHY HE IS DISCIPLINING YOU BECAUSE

Hebrews 12:11 ESV

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

HOW ARE WE TRAINED BY IT?

WE DO NOT GIVE UP ON THE FAITH WHEN WE ARE BEING DISCIPLINED

Hebrews 12:12–13 ESV

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

HEALED...

2 Chronicles 30:18–20 ESV

For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

DISCIPLINE IS FOUR OUR HEALING: HEALING FROM IMPACT OF SIN STILL IN OUR LIVES AND ALSO FROM THE DISCIPLINE THE LORD GIVES

NOW, AFTER ALL OF THAT HE SAYS

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL NOT FAIL

THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE JESUS OVER TEMPTATION

THIS DOES NOT MEAN THERE WILL NOT BE CHALLENGES IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

WE KNOW BEING HOLY DOES NOT MEAN THAT BECAUSE PART OF BECOMING HOLY IS BEING DISCIPLINED BY THE LORD WHEN WE FAIL

GET THIS: MY SEMINARY PROFESSOR SAID THESE WORDS

GOD LOVES TO FORGIVE THE SINS OF HIS PEOPLE

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MANY REASONS FOR THAT BUT ONE IS THIS:

YOUR HOLINESS COMES OUT OF THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE FOR YOUR FAILURES

NOW REMEMBER WHAT I SAID TO START

JUST BECAUSE THE LORD LOVES TO FORGIVE THE SIN OF HIS PEOPLE

VERSE 5:

DO NOT DISREGARD IT

THIS IS THE PERSON WHO OVER-DOES GRACE

2. DO NOT BE WEARY BECAUSE OF IT

THIS IS THE PERSON WHO UNDER VALUES GRACE

BUT HERE IS THE BEAUTY OF THIS PASSAGE

HOLINESS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN ACHIEVE MORE AND MORE IN THIS LIFE - IF YOU STRIVE FOR IT

STRIVING FOR HOLINESS PROVES THAT YOU ARE NOT ILLEGITIMATE

THEREFORE, YOU WILL SEE THE LORD