Faith In The Love Of God

Hebrews 11:39-12:13

Every one of those who have gone before us are witnesses of the power and faithfulness of God, both those who experienced the miracles, and those who suffered without seeing them. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect,” (Hebrews 11:39-40). They are examples and witnesses to what he has promised.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

By example, all those who have gone before demonstrate that it is possible to serve and trust him despite not seeing the end result, and like Noah their faithfulness condemns unbelief on our part. By focusing on the end result, we can ignore intermediate distractions. As Paul said in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Focusing on the ultimate goal rather than immediate pleasures will enable us to continue in faith, demonstrating real faith. Christ is himself the best example of all. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds,” (Hebrews 12:3)

Some children feel unloved because they do not get everything their way. They resent having to do chores or eat something they don’t want. They feel that if their parents loved them, they would buy what the child wanted. That It will not kill them to eat those peas or carry out the trash, or do without that toy never occurs to them. They become especially resentful if the parents punish them for something they’ve done. The parents may well be not doing what the children want in order to provide food or housing, or to protect them from serious injury, but the child is only concerned with his own desires.

Christians can develop the same selfish and rebellious attitude toward God, resenting not having their own way, or having to experience some problem. That God has protected them from death, and is acting to protect them from other things never occurs. They simply have no faith in the love of God.

“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews 12:4-6)

God corrects and punishes every one of his children because he loves them and wants what is best for them. A parent who allows their children to do wrong does not really care what happens to their child. They are more concerned for their own pleasure at the moment. It is hard to be consistent and stern, but it is essential if the child is to learn to do what is right, and thus avoid problems later. The correction and punishment, like the not giving everything the child wants are demonstrations of real love.

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 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 12:7-10)

How many of us hate our parents because they insisted on our doing right? Unfortunately, even the best parents sometimes focus on their own benefit, rather than the child, but most try to help their children. God never acts except in our interest. That doesn’t mean we enjoy the punishment, but if we understand his love, we’ll be like the little child who, after being punished turns and hugs his father and says “I love you, Daddy.”

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:11-13)

If, instead of acknowledging God’s love, we dwell on not getting our way, we become like the rebellious child, moping along with our lower lip hanging out, and taking our resentment out on others. We find ourselves in more sin, but often cause others to sin as well. We need to acknowledge our wrong doing, and that we deserved what we received, and correct our behavior. Sulking is evidence we really don’t believe in God’s love. We’ve become like the lady who said “I’d not believe my husband loved me if he didn’t buy me flowers every week.” There is no faith in his love, because there is no understanding of real love.