THE NECESSARY BALANCE

..."The Lord will judge his people." (Heb 10v30)

Contrary to popular belief amongst Christians today, the Lord does judge His people (1 Pet 4:17). That judgment is because of DISCIPLINE, not payment for sin. We are only qualified for salvation through Grace, but if we are true sons the Word says we will be disciplined (far from losing heart at this, we should rejoice at the reason for this, knowing that it's only because the whom the Lord LOVES He disciplines! Heb 2v5). Hebrews 12v6 says that He 'punishes those that He accepts as sons.' When it speaks of that kind of punishment, in context, it refers to the suffering God allows to shape us into His image. Far from being 'light and fluffy' hardship, Hebrews speaks about the tremendous affliction and suffering those believers were facing: 'Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.' Such suffering is often a CONTEST, because of the conflict that is waged within us, i.e: the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Suffering still tempts us to turn away from the Lord in order to live an easy life, but such temptation only shows the apple and not the death that awaits at the end of the line.

There is a belief that exists at the moment that says if we have been given His Grace, that obedience then becomes easy, this is unbelievably untrue, that is why the Lord called it a narrow way and a difficult way- Matt 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. There is still the necessity of taking up our cross and still the necessity of denying ourselves, and if anyone out there tells you that's a cakewalk, I'm sorry, but they're not following the Jesus of the Bible (i.e- 'take up your cross and follow me'). Peter said that we'd, by necessity, be at times grieved by various trials. Jesus said that we'd need to lose our lives to follow Him. So given that, while we have SUFFICIENT GRACE, we still must face GRIEVOUS trials, and we must also be equipped with the knowledge that such suffering comes to us because of divine, sovereign and LOVING judgment. 

One of the greatest, if not THE greatest apostles to ever live- Paul- knew more about Grace than probably anyone that ever lived, and yet he still was human, he still PLEADED God to take the thorn of affliction away from him, that 'messenger of Satan.' Take note here. Often affliction just seems EVIL, it cannot seem to come from a loving God, but it does, with good intent. There is the temptation in all called Christians to want to rid ourselves of God sent afflictions in the belief that Grace extinguishes all such things, however it is quite the opposite, God, again, gives SUFFICIENT GRACE in order to bear up under such trials, and in fact use them for His glory. 

Grace does not take away discipline and it does not take away the punishment that comes in order to discipline, rather it uses all such things to mould us more and more into His image, to work for us a far more exceedingly weight of eternal glory, and is used so that ALL THE MORE we should be to the PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE. You see, GRACE and JUDGMENT aren't so far apart after all. God is even in His grace judging His people in order that HIS GRACE MAY BE PRAISED ALL THE MORE IN US WHEN HE RETURNS. Grace and judgment are both needed to make us more like God. We must welcome them both :)


Heb 12v4 + onwards-: 'In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children not true sons. v10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. v11 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.


1 Peter 4v12: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. v17: For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.