Over the past few weeks, I've been working on building my own faith up a bit more. I decided one week, to spend each day re-reading Hebrews 11, and then the next week reading the rest of Hebrews. For some reason, I ended up reading Hebrews 12 twice.
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I really was able to gain a new perspective on things and start to adjust my attitude, but then this weekend in particular showed me a lot. God disciplines, like a father, just as the Bible says. I was in worship this morning, and listening to John P Kee's "I Do Worship" [love that song btw] and one of the add-libs in the song said "God'd gonna get His glory anyhow...." Now being that I grew up in a Black Baptist church, I'm not by any means unfamiliar with this saying, but today it just meant something different to me. God is going to get His glory, and He's going to discipline me when I fall, when my attitude isn't right or when I just don't spend enough time seeking Him. But He is gonna get His glory anyhow - so as long as He gives me grace to live past it, I have another chance to go back to Him and give Him that glory.
I remember as a child, especially when I was really young, everytime I got in trouble for something [which btw was few and far between.....just sayin, lol] there was a short period where I was afraid to go back to my parents really for anything - even to say sorry. At the time I confused discipline with hate at the time. But as I got older, and with many times of my parents beckoning me to come to them after things cooled down, I realized that it wasn't hate at all, and no matter what, I could always go back to speak with them. 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. So long as God grants me the grace of breath in my lungs, I still have that opportunity to go back, and make things right - and not only that, its really the foundation of our faith. My actions don't justify me, and though I should always try, I will fall short from time to time. So we all have to hold to the promise that Jesus' blood can cleanse any sin- so much so that even Paul who persecuted Christians was accepted as an apostle. If that wouldn't kill God's love for man, what can? It's important for us to grow and mature in our understanding that God doesn't hate us - He hates the sin. It's important for our relationships with other people - who are imperfect just like us, but also very important to maintaining a relationship with God, and not hiding at those times that we need Him most.
This morning, I also came across a YouTube video for the song "Make Me Over" by Tonex. For those who may be unfamiliar, Tonex was a gospel singer, but over the past few years, changed his overall image to a very openly homosexual alter ego - B. Slade. Now Tonex sang with a Gospel Choir during a past BET Celebration of Gospel, and the selection, "Make Me Over" was a plead to God to restore us to where we should be. Its a beautiful song and the youtube link is below for your listening pleasure. As everyone does on YouTube, I scrolled down the comments on this video - and I'd have to say I was a bit horrified by some of what I saw. Many people had very hateful comments around the fact that he was gay - completely ignoring the essence of this song. I thank God for His discipline in my life, showing that he cares and that His love truly is undying no matter what, and for helping me continue to see myself, so that I can continue learning how to show that kind of love and forgiveness to others. He's perfect, yet His love for an imperfect me never wavers, so I too have to learn to give passes to others who are on that same playing field as me.
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I really was able to gain a new perspective on things and start to adjust my attitude, but then this weekend in particular showed me a lot. God disciplines, like a father, just as the Bible says. I was in worship this morning, and listening to John P Kee's "I Do Worship" [love that song btw] and one of the add-libs in the song said "God'd gonna get His glory anyhow...." Now being that I grew up in a Black Baptist church, I'm not by any means unfamiliar with this saying, but today it just meant something different to me. God is going to get His glory, and He's going to discipline me when I fall, when my attitude isn't right or when I just don't spend enough time seeking Him. But He is gonna get His glory anyhow - so as long as He gives me grace to live past it, I have another chance to go back to Him and give Him that glory.
I remember as a child, especially when I was really young, everytime I got in trouble for something [which btw was few and far between.....just sayin, lol] there was a short period where I was afraid to go back to my parents really for anything - even to say sorry. At the time I confused discipline with hate at the time. But as I got older, and with many times of my parents beckoning me to come to them after things cooled down, I realized that it wasn't hate at all, and no matter what, I could always go back to speak with them. 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. So long as God grants me the grace of breath in my lungs, I still have that opportunity to go back, and make things right - and not only that, its really the foundation of our faith. My actions don't justify me, and though I should always try, I will fall short from time to time. So we all have to hold to the promise that Jesus' blood can cleanse any sin- so much so that even Paul who persecuted Christians was accepted as an apostle. If that wouldn't kill God's love for man, what can? It's important for us to grow and mature in our understanding that God doesn't hate us - He hates the sin. It's important for our relationships with other people - who are imperfect just like us, but also very important to maintaining a relationship with God, and not hiding at those times that we need Him most.
This morning, I also came across a YouTube video for the song "Make Me Over" by Tonex. For those who may be unfamiliar, Tonex was a gospel singer, but over the past few years, changed his overall image to a very openly homosexual alter ego - B. Slade. Now Tonex sang with a Gospel Choir during a past BET Celebration of Gospel, and the selection, "Make Me Over" was a plead to God to restore us to where we should be. Its a beautiful song and the youtube link is below for your listening pleasure. As everyone does on YouTube, I scrolled down the comments on this video - and I'd have to say I was a bit horrified by some of what I saw. Many people had very hateful comments around the fact that he was gay - completely ignoring the essence of this song. I thank God for His discipline in my life, showing that he cares and that His love truly is undying no matter what, and for helping me continue to see myself, so that I can continue learning how to show that kind of love and forgiveness to others. He's perfect, yet His love for an imperfect me never wavers, so I too have to learn to give passes to others who are on that same playing field as me.
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