Discussion 9-1-19

  This Sunday Pastor Ryan preached from Hebrews 12:3-11.  While he was preaching, my thinking was "sidetracked" when we got to verse 6, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."( ESV)  I like the KJV of this verse better, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." I don't like the KJV better because of the "eth's" but because of the words translated "chasteneth" and "scourgeth". The words chasteneth in the KJV and discipline in the ESV are a translation of the Greek word paideuo; which means to train up or educate a child. When we train up a child, we both teach and instruct them (chasten) and bring them back on the right path (discipline) when they veer off. The Lord does this to EVERY believer because EVERY believer is his child! When was the last time the Lord disciplined you? Why did he have to discipline you and what for?
  Not only does the Lord discipline every believer, but he scourges them. That word in the Greek is mastigoo. It means to flog. Ouch! Have you been flogged lately? There are times in our lives when the Lord has to deal with deep character issues or addictions that require painful correction. When you are scourged by the Lord, you know it! He has your complete attention and repentance is usually quick. So is the healing. Just as a father loves his son and desires the best for him even when he's done wrong, the Lord desires the best for us. Just as a father longs for a restored relationship with his son after harsh correction, the Lord longs for a restored relationship with us.
  Discipline and scourging can be a hard and painful process, but the outcome of drawing closer to our Lord is well worth it!