Daily Manna

Key Verse

“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8).

TEXT — Hebrews 12:5-13

Message

No one likes to be called a bastard. This is because it is a word that connotes a negative image. A bastard is a child born outside wedlock and to be called one implies an identification tag that is both odious and repelling. To be termed a bastard is a tag no one desires.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews used this word to describe believers who fail to bear afflictions and divine discipline cheerfully. He observed that their afflictions were incomparable to what Jesus endured for man. He wanted them to bear hardship and corrections because no life can have any value without discipline.

He explained that the corrections were for their good and that they should, like good children, obey God who is their heavenly Father. No good father will allow his child to grow up without corrections. It is only a child estranged from the father who would be allowed to grow up with unlimited freedom.

The new birth introduces the believer to the family of God. As a child of the Kingdom, there are things to do and lessons to learn. Whenever we wake up in the morning, the Father expects us to begin the day with prayers, reading, and meditating on His word. Then He wants us to live up to our confessions, and forsake every known sin. It is a new life with a new vision and new commitment.
Every child of God must do the will of our heavenly Father.

As His children, we are to delight ourselves in what makes Him happy and to keep ourselves away from things that He hates. Just like Jesus corrected Peter in love after denying Him, the Lord also will use appropriate opportunities to train and correct us as may be necessary. May God give you the grace to heed His warnings and abide by His corrections today.

Thought for the day

God’s corrections should make us better, not bitter.

• Bible
• in one year
• ACTS 22 – 23