The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, December 7, 2018

Chastening Yields Peaceable Fruit Hebrews 12:11

The writer of Hebrews shared with his readers how “chastening” was practiced for a short time by our “earthly fathers” and toward their own “profit”, however, God “instructs and educates” without end toward his “children's” benefit. In chapter twelve and verse eleven of Hebrews the writer shares how “chastening” “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” where we read:

Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

The verse begins, “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous:”. The writer began with the word, “Now” which means “moreover and also” “no chastening” which refers to “no training, education and chastisement” “for the present” which means “near at hand or at the current time” “seems to be joyous” or “supposes or accounts as gladness or a cause for joy”, “but grievous” or “is rather heavy, grudging and filled with grief”. The writer concurred that there is “no training, education or chastisement” that brings “joy” to the recipient while it is happening, but rather “Chastening” brings “heavy grief” to those who receive it during its length of stay.

The verse continues, “...nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”. The writer added the word, “nevertheless” or “moreover and also” “afterward” which means “later and coming after” “it yields” or “chastening delivers, pays off, discharges and produces” “the peaceable” which means “that which relates to peace and by implication is salutary” “fruit” or “that which originates or comes from something” “of righteousness” which means “the way in which man may attain a state approved of God, integrity, virtue, purity of life and correctness of thinking, feeling and acting” “unto them” which refers to “the ones who receive the chastening” “which are exercised” which means “vigorously moving in any way whether in the body or mind” “thereby” or “thru, during and by means of the same”. God's “children” who are “moved vigorously” by His “training, instruction and education” “produce” “peaceful righteousness” in their lives.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we agree that “chastening” is not very “joyous” for the person who is receiving it. Let's face it, correction and instruction is often very difficult, and if it is accompanied by affliction, it is all the more troublesome. Regardless, the end result will be the “peaceful offspring of the way that is approved of God”. Jesus came to “show us the Father”, and when we observe Jesus' life, we may know what God is like. When He brings “correction” to us, it may not seem very “fun” or “joyous” at the time, but we must remember that God is working His “instruction and training” to “produce” His “peaceful” and “righteous” ways within us.

Next time the writer shares how he and his readers “lift up the hands which hang down”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Partakers of God's Holiness Hebrews 12:10

“We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us” according to the writer of Hebrews, and “we gave them reverence”, and he questioned, “shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” In chapter twelve and verse ten of Hebrews the writer shares how God desires for his readers to be “partakers of his holiness” where we read:

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure;

but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

The verse begins, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure;”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “they verily” which refers to “the earthly fathers truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “for a few days” which means “towards a small, little, light and short period of time” “chastened us” or “trained, instructed, taught and caused the writer and his readers” “after their own pleasure” which means “down from and according to their own opinion, good, thinking and trow”. The writer referred to the way “earthly fathers” disciplined he and his readers “according to” their own way of thinking.

The verse continues, “but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”. The writer added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “he for our profit” or “Jesus bore, brought together, carried, helped and made profitable and expedient his chastisement”, “that we might be partakers” which refers to “so we may be partners and receivers” “of his holiness” which means “of Jesus' moral sense and sanctity”. “Earthly fathers” instructed and directed their children according to their own benefit, however, God through His Son Jesus Christ “chastises” for the welfare and goodness of His children.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see the difference between “earthly fathers” and our “heavenly Father”. “Earthly fathers” have a limited time for “discipline and training”, and most of it is done according to the father's idea and personal benefit, however, God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son has “forever” and does things toward his “children's” advantage. Jesus Christ desires for us to be the “instructed and disciplined” children of God, and our “earthly fathers” were temporary examples of the One for whom we should have the greatest “reverence”.

Next time the writer shares how “no chastening for the present seems to be joyous”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Fathers Who Corrected Us Hebrews 12:9

As the writer of Hebrews shared concerning the “chastening of” the Lord toward His “children”, he told them if they were “without chastisement”, they were “not sons” of God . In chapter twelve and verse nine of Hebrews the writer referred to how we “had fathers of our flesh which corrected us” where we read:

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

The verse begins, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:”. The writer began with the word, “Furthermore” which means “then and after that truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “we have had fathers” or “we have held and possessed male ancestors, parents or progenitors” “which corrected us” which means “gave instruction to, disciplined and chastise the writer of Hebrews and his readers” “and we gave them” or “provided, offered and brought to their fathers” “reverence” which means “regard, respect and reference”. The writer pointed out how he and his readers had “fathers” who provided “guidance, instruction, discipline and chastisement” toward them.

The verse continues, “...shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”. The writer added the words, “shall we not much rather be in subjection” or “how much more should the writer and his readers arrange themselves under, subordinate, be in subjection to, obey and submit to control” “unto the Father” or “towards the ultimate progenitor and creator” “of spirits” which means “the Originator, Providential and Gracious Sustainer at once of animal and spiritual life”, “and live” or “be among the living, have breath, vital power and vigor”?. The writer's comparison is between “earthly fathers” and the “heavenly Father” who is God Almighty, and he questions his readers concerning their “reverence” toward their “earthly dads” and Father God.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we notice the comparison the writer makes between “earthly” fathers and the spiritual “Father” or God. Those who have “earthly fathers” have known the correction that he provides and the information that not only extends life but helps to guide through life itself. This “training” promoted “regard and reverence” towards “earthly fathers”. Our Heavenly Father created everyone, and He is the ultimate authority over mankind. Those who trust in His Son Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord”, (“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12) are His children, and they shall be “chastised” and “corrected” by Him. This should cause them to give “high regard” and “reverence” to God, and those who are wise shall willingly be “in subjection” to Him. May all who read know and believe these words.

Next time the writer shares how “we might be partakers of his holiness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Without Chastisement not Sons Hebrews 12:8

The writer of Hebrews shared that if his readers “endure chastening, God deals with” them “as with sons”, and he questioned “what son is he whom the father chastens not?” In chapter twelve and verse eight of Hebrews the writer declared “without chastisement” his readers were “not sons” where we read:

But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.

The verse begins, “But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers,...”. The writer began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was previously stated “if you be” or “whether you are” “without chastisement” which means “separate and apart from nurturing, instruction and whole training and education”, “whereof” or “that and which” “all are partakers” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of them are participants, associates, fellows and partners”. Those who believe in Jesus and become His family are “trained and educated” in God's ways and are “partakers and associates” as “sons of God”.

The verse continues, “... then are you bastards, and not sons.”. The writer added the words, “then are you bastards” or “so therefore and wherefore the readers are “illegitimate or one born outside of lawful wedlock”, “and not sons” which means “and not descendants or the posterity” of God. If we are not “chastised” by God, we are known as “illegitimate” and not “participants” in His family.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we notice how important it is to be “chastised” by the Lord. All believers in Jesus Christ will be “educated and trained” by Him, and if there is none of this occurring, perhaps the person is “illegitimate” not a “child” of God. Jesus Christ came to die and then rise from the grave for the sins of the world, and everyone who believes this has entry into the family of God. Lest we be known as “ones born outside of God's lawful wedlock”, let us believe in the only begotten Son of God and trust in the “training and instruction” He gives.

Next time the writer refers to how“we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

If You Endure Chastening Hebrews 12:7

In sharing with his readers about how they were not to “despise” “the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him”. He also told them, “whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives” . In chapter twelve and verse seven of Hebrews, the writer shared how his readers should “If you endure chastening” where we read:

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the father chastens not?

The verse begins, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; ”. The writer began with the words, “If you” which refers to “the readers of Hebrews” “endure” which means “take patiently” “chastening” which means “the whole training and education of children which includes commands, admonitions, reproofs and punishments”, “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “deals with you” or “brings to, leads and treats the readers” “as with sons” or “in the same manner as descendants and posterity”. The writer encouraged his readers concerning “chastening” because it means that God “leads and treats” them as His children.

The verse goes on to say, “for what son is he whom the father chastens not?”. The writer continued with the words, “for what son” or “because who is the descendant or posterity” “is he whom” which means “is the son who” “the father” or “the male generator, parent or ancestor” “chastens not” or “does not share the whole training and education of children which includes commands, admonitions, reproofs and punishments”. The writer rhetorically asked his readers what “father” doesn't give his children the “training and education” they need.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see how “training and education” is important not only to earthly children, but also to those who are the “children” of God. When God “deals with” us as His “children”, He is going to “train us and educate us” in His ways. When we stray from His paths, He will provide correction, and if necessary, He may “afflict” us. However, we may know this, God loves us, and He corrects and trains all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Next time the writer shares what happens if his readers are “without chastisement”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Lord Chastens Whom He Loves Hebrews 12:6

The writer of Hebrews told his readers they “have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children”, and when they were “chastened of the Lord”, they were not to “despise” nor “faint when” they were “rebuked of him”. In chapter twelve and verse six of Hebrews the writer shares how his readers should “whom the Lord loves he chastens” where we read:

For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.

The verse begins, “For whom the Lord loves he chastens,...”. The writer began with the word, “For whom” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, verily and therefore whomever” “the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master which is the title given to God the Messiah” “loves” which means “to entertain, be fond of, be well pleased, contented and unconditionally loved” “he chastens” or “teaches, instructs, causes to learn, corrects and molds character by reproof and admonition”. The Hebrew writer states how the Lord “teaches and instructs” the people he “loves”.

The verse continues, “...and scourges every son whom he receives.”. The writer added the words, “and scourges” or “flogs, banes, afflicts” “every son” which means “each, all, the whole and everyone of the descendants and posterity” “whom he receives” or “that takes up, accepts and acknowledges”. The Lord also, according to the writer of Hebrews, “afflicts” the “children” He “accepts and acknowledges”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we understand the Lord “disciplines” and “instructs” His “children”. Sometimes He uses “afflictions” to instruct, and other times he “reproves and admonishes” through His word. Let us be sure to notice God “loves” His “children”, and because He does, He provides the correction and guidance they need, and should they wander off the best path for them, He will use “baneful” acts to redirect them. Jesus Christ His Son is the only one who lived “perfectly”, and He suffered and died for our transgressions and sins. The Lord's “correction” should be desired by all who believe and trust in Him, and we should always know, He has our best in mind.

Next time the writer shares what happens “If you endure chastening”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Despise not the Lord's Chastening Hebrews 12:5

The writer of Hebrews desired for his readers to “consider” Jesus “that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds”, and he told them “you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”. In chapter twelve and verse five of Hebrews, the writer shares how his readers should “despise not the chastening of the Lord” where we read:

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:

The verse begins, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children,...”. The writer began with the words, “And you” which refers to “the readers of Hebrews” “have forgotten” or “are utterly oblivious of” “the exhortation” which means “the supplication, entreaty, admonition and encouragement” “which speaks” or “that converses, argues and discusses” “unto you as unto children” which means “to the readers of Hebrews as sons and daughters of God”. Not only had the readers of Hebrews not “resisted unto bloodshed”, but the also were “oblivious” to the way God “speaks” unto them as His “children”.

The verse goes on to say, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:”. The writer continued with the words, “My son” which refers to “those whom God esteems as sons whom he loves, protects and benefits above others”, “despise not” which means “do not have little care for, regard lightly or make small account of” “the chastening” or “the whole training and education of children through tutorage and education” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “nor faint” which means “not becoming despondent or faint hearted” “when you are rebuked” or “when the readers are convicted, refuted and confuted” “of him” which refers to “the Lord”. The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers not to “despise” the “training and education” of the Lord, and they were not to lose heart when they were “convicted and refuted” by Him.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see the concern and exhortation from the writer for his readers to remember the way God “speaks” to them as “children”. God desires for his “children” to know that He will care for them, and when He corrects, educates and trains Him, they should not lose “heart” or “faint” concerning His exhortation or “rebuke”. Jesus came to provide access to God as His “children”, and because He loves us so much, He will “convict” us when we do wrong and “rebuke” us when we have need for it. Let us rejoice that we have an Almighty God who desires intimacy as a family with us, and let us know His instruction is to our benefit rather than demise.

Next time the writer tells his readers “whom the Lord loves he chastens”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.