4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.

6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”

7a Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons.

9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?

10b God [disciplines us] for our benefitting, in order to share His holiness.

11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

— Hebrews 12:4-7a, 9, 10b, 11, 14

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

— 2 Corinthians 7:1

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God calls His children to enter into sanctification process which is mature in holiness and obedience. Sanctification represents the ongoing process of God molding His children to be more like Jesus. Sanctification characterizes the Christian life. Those who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ through faith grow spiritually through the Holy Spirit’s purifying work within them. God declares believers forgiven when they turn to Christ for salvation. His one-time declaration of justification grants sinners Christ’s perfect righteousness and eternal life. People saved from God’s wrath enter a renewed relationship with Him.

Though saved from sin’s dominion, God’s children still struggle with sin and get distracted from their calling. Therefore, our good, loving, and holy Father encourages, admonishes, guides, and corrects His people. God’s power enables His children to live lives of faith. A believer’s disobedience may mean forfeiting God’s blessings and experiencing His loving discipline. But those who belong to God never lose His favor. God will never forsake His children. He prunes the dead branches of our lives so we will flourish for our good and His glory.