The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 12:7-8, “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?

8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”

Discipline is a word often misunderstood. It comes from the word “disciple,” and a disciple is a pupil, a learner. As children, when we failed to learn (usually intentionally), our parents administered some form of punishment, punishment we called dicipline. Thus, the word itself has come to us carrying a distinction that was not originally intended.

This 12TH chapter of Hebrews employs the word “discipline” no less than nine times! The Word tells us that “it is for discipline that (we) endure.” Paul is not saying that the LORD wants us around so we can be punished. No, endure whatever comes our way that we may learn. Some things we learn to do, and some things we learn not to do. It’s all a learning process.

Fathers are responsible for the discipline – the learning – of their children. Children who do not learn what their fathers teach them, grow up without resembling their fathers. If we fail to learn what the LORD teaches us, we grow up without resembling Him. Sometimes we have to endure the other meaning of discipline (punishment) from Him in order to stay spiritually in line. That’s when we are made to endure His punishments.

Verse eight should shake us all to the core! For it is there that the Apostle reveals that if the LORD fails to discipline us, we simply do not belong to Him! Imagine going through life thinking that you are a Christian, but coming ultimately to realize that you have never had the LORD as your Father!

It’s not rituals or church attendances or even memberships that make us Christians. It’s loving Jesus Christ and being committed to Him with the whole of our heart. It’s not a religion; it’s a Relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ. If you’ve never trusted Him or are not sure about your relationship with Him, STOP right now and ask Him to forgive you of your sin and take charge of your life. It’s then that He will make you aware that you do indeed have a Heavenly Father!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”