Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 24 May 2008 14:13:20 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (May 25); BP: Heb. 12:5-24; RBTTY: Jn. 9:1-23; I
May 25 “Partakers of His Holiness”
“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? 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.”
Hebrews 12:9-10
For now, there may only be a slight or strong resemblance; but one of these days we’ll look just like Him—and it’ll be Heavenly (I Jn. 3:2).
Chastening. Correction. Discipline.
All of these words sound harsh and, as we know from personal experience, they can be at times. Who of us has not felt the sting of the strap, belt, branch or “board of education” when we were growing up? And, if the truth be known, much of the time we needed it, even though at the time we thought we didn’t.
Today’s Manna is taken from a section of admonitions or exhortations to endure “God’s chastenings” (vv.5-17), which come in a variety of ways. Sometimes they’re physical; other times they’re more mental or emotional. But, they’re always for a spiritual purpose—and always for the express purpose to transform us into “partakers (Grk. ‘metalambano’—‘participants in, partners, recipients of, to catch hold of, seize, etc.’) of His Holiness.”
Our parents “corrected (Grk. ‘paideutes’—‘trained, to teach, instruct, discipline, etc.’) us after their own pleasure (Grk. ‘dokeo’—‘what seemed right, way of thinking, that which seemed good or necessary, etc.’).” Simply put, (hopefully) they were seeking to “train us up in the way that we should go so we’d not stray from it when we got older” (Prov. 22:6).
Even though, at times, their actions and words may have seemed harsh or overbearing, we still “gave them reverence (Grk. ‘entrepo’—‘respect, honor, etc.’) by obeying them.” Why, then, do we inwardly fret or fume with the Heavenly Father—the “Giver of every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17)—when He allows difficulties in our lives?
Perhaps He uses them to warn us and wake us up to our sinful attitudes and actions, so we, like the prodigal son, will “come to ourselves, arise and return to Him” (Lk. 15:17-19). Then, other times He allows us to go through “fiery trials” in order to further define and refine our faith (I Pet. 1:6-7).
But, the bottom-line in all of these is to further transform us into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we shouldn’t “despise (Grk. ‘oligoreo’—‘to have little regard for, to hold in disrespect or contempt, etc.’) the chastening (Grk. ‘paideia’—‘education, training, instruction, disciplinary correction, nurture, etc.’) of the Lord. . . for whom the Lord loves, He chastens and scourges every one” (vv.5-6; Prov. 3:11-12).
Aren’t you thankful the Heavenly Father loves you enough to discipline you? In the end it’s always for our “profit” and His pleasure—for He knows in we’ll end up being “partakers of His Holiness” and be a spitting image of Him. Hallelujah!!
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