Persistence June 28, 2015
Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
The Greek word for sons is huios meaning “mature sons”. God will chasten you if you want to be a mature son of God. There are things that we need to learn, to grow up in, and we don’t always know, but our Father does. If we want to share in all His wealth which we’ve been given we’ll have to feed on His word and endure hardness as a good soldier. Chasten = “to afflict and harass”. It’s the faithfulness of His love. Anything of value comes with persistence, over time with adversity and pressure. Oil, gold, diamonds, and pearls take time. God reveals His pattern in nature. We are His masterpiece and it takes His chastening to bring forth the Sun-glory in your life.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
‘Perform’ is the promise of His persistence and passion for you.
Psalms 139:17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (18) If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Psalms 121:3-4 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. (4) Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
He says, “I am with you always”. Surrender to that love, thank God for His commitment to us, for His chastening. It hurts but we are changing from glory to glory. We may try to ignore His chastening or want to hide from it, but He is faithful. He never lets us go. Seek the things that are eternal. We are for the good pleasure of His will. The pattern He is after in every child of God – He wants them to be fully grown sons. Glorified together with His Son Jesus. Salvation with eternal glory. Seated in the midst of the throne with Him. Finish with a full joy. With the same passion and love reciprocated back to Him. It’s a love match. Any good father desires that his sons have the same passion and desire that he has. His desire is that His passion of love burst forth in you. This is the love of God that is shed abroad in your heart, it explodes. Pray always. Tell Him how much you love Him. Give thanks for all things. Press on – finish!
Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
It’s precious because we know we have the reward of rewards. You have a passion for Paul’s gospel. He put that passion in you.
Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Thank God for the wealth that’s in the chastening. Remain persistent, keep the faith and believe. It will be not only heirs of God but joint-heirs. He will not withhold a thing. Descending from heaven with His glory. He will make known to all He has loved her!
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