for whom GOD loves;
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[[ “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us” if you read Hebrews 11 you will understand who the witnesses surrounding us are.
Encumbrances = obstacle
fixing our eyes on Jesus; to put Jesus first in all we do, keeping our eyes, heart mind and soul attached to Him and Him alone at all times, not focused on the world and the things of the world.
The author and perfecter of faith; Jesus will make our faith in Him grow in to perfection, a faith that is so deep in Him that our lives will be a mire of His love and peace to those around us, a witness of His love for not only us but for the unbeliever also.
Jesus was willing to endured the pain and sham of the cross because He saw what the results would be, not only for Himself but for those of us who put our faith in Him.
His reward; that He would set at the right hand of the throne of His Father (Father GOD ), and ours, that we would live with Him and have life in Him for eternity.
Likewise we should not be looking at the pain we must go through in this world but rather we are to look to the cross of Christ Jesus, we should be looking to the return of Christ Jesus and to living with Him though out eternity.
This can only be accomplished through faith, faith in Christ Jesus. ]]
Hebrews 12:3
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
A Father's Discipline
Hebrews 12:4
You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
[[ with out discipline we run wild partaking in all sorts of sin, In the reality of human nature, we are always looking for discipline, but as humans living in humanity and not in Godliness our discipline is corrupt, it is not consistent so can be looked upon as unjust.
GOD’S discipline can seem to be heard to except, but His discipline always has a direction and that direction is to get us to our final destination. That destination is to be with Him in His kingdom for eternity. It is for our good not our destruction. ]]
[[[ So what are we told about discipline;
Job 5:17
“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Psalms 50:17
“For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you.
Proverbs 3:11
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,
Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son accepts his father's discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored.
Proverbs 15:5
A fool rejects his father's discipline, But he who regards reproof is sensible.
Pros 15:32
He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
Proverbs 16:22
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.
Proverbs 19:27
Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Proverbs 23:12
Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:13
Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
First Corinthians 9:27
but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
First Timothy 4:7-8
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Second Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Hebrews 12:4-11
You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Rev 3:19
‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent.
[[ discipline; something in the world we have learned to not look forward to, but is something we should desire and have great adoration for, for with out discipline we can not be lead in to repentance and with out repenting of our wrong doings will not be forgiven.
Just like when someone gives you a gift wrapped up in a box, if you never open the box you can not really experience the gift.
Forgiveness and salvation are gifs from father GOD assessable to us through the Christ Jesus our Lord.
They are held out to us but unless we repent the gift will never be opened to us to full enjoy. If you remember this as you are going through being disciplined
Hebrews 12:6
"FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
Heb 12:10
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
Proverbs 13:24
He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
As believers in Christ Jesus, we are adopted sons of Father GOD.
Father GOD, please discipline me, thank you for show me where i am wrong and direct me in Your righteousness so that I may know your forgiveness and salvation. ]]
Hebrews 12:4-7
You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ]]]
A key point to keep in mind:
if you do not want to be disciplined then go to the Lord and repent of the sins in your life you are aware of, repent turn from the sins and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, excepting His gift of forgiveness and walk in His truth.
it is your choice, make it wall you can with out going through the hardship of discipline, or go through the hardship, but if that is the path you chose to take remember this has been your choice and don't complain about it.