“Between Children and Adults“, by Rev. Peter von Herrmann
In worship today, we talk about the “cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 11 and the subsequent admonitions in Hebrews 12. Hebrews 11 is a list of people throughout the ages who were faithful to God. The support of other Christians is emphasized. Chapter 12, however, emphasizes that we are still, at times, treated as “children,” with all the discipline and needed growth that implies.
As Christians, we love each other as fellow children of God, each called by God to specific tasks as “grown up” Christians. In the “cloud of witnesses”, we are cheered on by Christians of all ages, and we take our part in cheering for others. Yet, we also remain children, in need of parenting by God who calls us to grow more and more like Christ. In many ways, we are all “little Christians,” growing up into the full stature of Christ.
~Peter von Herrmann
The Word
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts.”Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to 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, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
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