Hebrews 12:10 "... but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. " (KJV)

He produces His own character in us and trains us for eternal glory. (Romans 5:3-4; James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:7 ). Far from complaining we should be thankful for the rich harvest of blessing brought to us by discipline.

Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (NKJV)

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In View Of Discipline, Deal With Your Own Weakness, In Co-operation With Others

Hebrews 12:12 "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees," (NKJV)

We can help one another to draw on the sufficiency of Christ's strength.

Hebrews 12:13 "and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." (NKJV)

"A call for upright conduct that will help, rather than hinder the spiritual and moral welfare of others, especially the "lame" who waver in the Christian faith." NIV Study Bible

It is good to be strong for the sake of others as well as ourselves. The strong in faith pursue two objectives. Peace with all men (Romans 12:18 ) and holiness of walk before the Lord (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 3:2-3 ). Those who by faith have His righteousness imputed, evidence it by pursuing right conduct in daily experience. Such will see the Lord. We are being transformed now and are looking for translation ( 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:52 ). A wrong understanding of God's discipline can cause bitterness to take root .

Hebrews 12:15 "looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;" (NKJV)

There is available grace for every need. It can be received by coming to God in truth and openness (Hebrews 4:16 ). We can fall short of that grace if we allow ourselves to become bitter - towards God for what is happening to us - or toward others whom we blame for our problems - jealousy, resentment, hate (Matthew 5:21-22 ). This not only infects our hearts with evil, the bitterness springs up and out bringing its deadly trouble to all our relationships.

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Esau Is A Warning Against Devaluing Spiritual Things

Should materialistic things be of more value to us than the spiritual, great will be our loss.

Hebrews 12:16 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. " (KJV)

Esau's wrong values were evident in his character. He is described as "sexually immoral" and "godless" (Hebrews 12:16 NIV).

Hebrews 12:17 "For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." (NKJV)

His tears of sorrow were actually worldly sorrow, not godly sorrow that produces "repentance leading to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10 ). "Worldly sorrow" brings death. When material gain and earthly advantage become our main goals, so that the spiritual life is disregarded, then the rich blessings of God are forfeited.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What do you understand to be God's purpose in your discipline (Hebrews 12:10 )?

2. How are you to help those who are weak and wavering (Hebrews 12:12-13 )?

3. Why are you to guard against a root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15 )?

4. As with Esau, wrong values become evident in character - should materialistic things be of more value than the spiritual (Hebrews 12:16-17 )?