Hebrews 12:4-11

Review: Our Responsibility in Sanctification

Last week in Hebrews chapter 12, we examined our responsibility in sanctification. Sanctification is God's work, but we participate by laying aside weights and sin. Weights are distractions—anything that takes our eyes off Jesus, becoming idolatry. These are things we deem more impressive than Christ Himself.

Sin constricts us like a snake around its prey, ensnaring and preventing progress. It slows us, bogs us down, and leads to spiritual fatigue or standstill. Examine your growth: How much more have you grown in grace and knowledge of Jesus? If little change, identify what's weighing you down.

This leads to running the race with endurance—a quality of life valuing God above circumstances, looking to the future reign with Christ. It's the capacity to endure hardship, stand fast, and focus on Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him: take in more knowledge, consider Him, dwell on Him. This makes Jesus more impressive than any trial, enabling you to press on without weariness.

God's Active Involvement: Fatherly Discipline

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Shall we not much rather 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, so that we may share His holiness.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

— Hebrews 12:4-11

1. The Tenacity a Believer Should Embrace

Verse 4 connects last week's teaching to tonight's: "You have not resisted to the point of shedding your own blood, striving against sin." This isn't commanding bloodshed but highlighting the status of your resistance. The Greek word for striving is antagōnizomai—antagonism, hostility toward sin.

True believers choose the proactive road: laying aside weights, repenting, mortifying sin daily—putting it to death. The alternative road tolerates sin, where one sin repeatedly triumphs (drunkenness, fornication, lying, anger—see Galatians 5:19). Idolatry or pride underlies every sin.

As God's child, He loves you too much to let sin destroy you. He disciplines. Jesus modeled tenacity: He endured hostility from sinners, focusing on the joy of your salvation, leading to bloodshed on the cross. Heroes in Hebrews 11 endured imprisonment or death for Christ. Grip faith firmly; don't settle for past victories. Always press forward in repentance and endurance—there's still sin to resist.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, not resisting Him, allowing harmony in your life.

2. The Encouragement a Believer Should Remember

Verse 5: "You have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons." You've been adopted into God's family (Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 8:15). God predestined you in love to adoption through Christ, for His glory.

Don't fear circumstances—fear God and become godly. Adoption coincides with justification. We forget we're sons and daughters, so we reject discipline. But Proverbs 3:11, quoted here, addresses us as sons.

3. The Security Discipline Provides

God disciplines His children—not everyone. If without discipline, you're illegitimate, not a son (v. 8). Negative: Cry out if no discipline marks your life. Positive: If disciplined, you're genuine. God won't let you fall away eternally—He saves you even from yourself. This is eternal security: He loves you too much to lose you to sin.

4. The Ultimate Benefit Discipline Provides

God brings pain personally, relationally—like earthly fathers, but better. Human fathers disciplined briefly as seemed best; God disciplines for profit, that we share His holiness (v. 10).

Discipline hurts now but yields peaceful fruit of righteousness later (v. 11). Discern it: Pain diminishing sin, increasing holiness, bringing harmony with God. It's not wasted time but joy in relationship with the Father.

Earthly discipline taught respect; God's brings abundant life. Embrace pain—harmony, satisfaction, and God's glory follow. It hurts, but the result won't disappoint.