Problems Prove Paternity

“It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Hebrews 12:7-8).

Hebrews 12 affirms, contrary to what one might imagine, that trials, chastening, and adversity prove that we are God’s children and he is our Father. You can’t have sonship without chastening. J. B. Phillips’ translation says if you are without discipline “you might as well doubt the legitimacy of your sonship.”

C. S. Lewis suggests that asking for an end to all difficulties would be asking for less love, not more. The potter who really loves his work of art chips and chops and removes and refashions until the object he is lovingly creating becomes what he wants it to be. An artist may quickly do a thumbnail sketch that is of little consequence, but his masterpiece enjoys endless attention because of its importance. If I saw my daughter playing in a filthy gutter, I would pull her out, give her a stern lecture, and clean her up. Why? Because I love her. I don’t just feel sentimental about her; I want the best for her.

Real love is sterner and more splendid than sentiment. It burns against whatever would otherwise make our beloved less than his or her best. We have a loving God. He is not indulgent, nor sentimental. “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). As a result, it is in a very real sense “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). When the depths of trial become so severe that they raise in our hearts and minds profound questions, we must shift our focus from seeking explanations for our suffering to seeking God our Father and trusting his character. Our Father is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful and is doing what is best for us.

Reflection

Think about someone you admire as a very good parent. Do they allow their children to do whatever they want and give them everything they want? How do they discipline and correct their children? Pray and acknowledge that God is your good Father and ask him for the grace to accept whatever discipline he sends your way.