Scripture: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” – Hebrews 12:6
Examination of chapter: The writer begins the chapter urging believers to stand strong in their faith, keeping their eyes upon Jesus. There will be challenges, but God allows struggles, and He disciplines us to train us in our Christian walk as our faith grows. The writer reminds us of those who have endured before us, and who are in the grandstands cheering us on as we go through life, striving to align ourselves with the will of God. The chapter culminates with the final destination for God’s children – His unshakeable kingdom.
Application: One of the greatest struggles in my Christian life is handling the guilt from sins committed after salvation. Sometimes I ask myself, “How could you have done that?”
Fortunately, I have never had a question about my salvation. Even though I accepted Christ when I attended a church whose doctrine included the ability to lose one’s salvation, I was too ignorant to know that was even a possibility, or so they believed! Now, I know that as a forgiven sinner whose faith is in Christ, I am secure in the hand of God, and no man (including myself) can remove me from it, no matter what I do! In John 10:29, Jesus said, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” I am so grateful for eternal security, however, I still ask, “Why would a saved person choose to engage in the ‘big’ sins?”
The Bible tells us that sin is sin, but we tend to categorize them, and those we label as the “awful” ones, the “biggies”, rarely are confessed to anyone. Sins such as abortion, same sex relationships, divorce, adultery, promiscuity, addiction to pornography or drugs… these, along with others, are all thought of as so heinous that if one has engaged in any of these, the shame and fear of judgment prohibits anyone from seeking the help they desperately need from anyone affiliated with the church. (Interesting to note, we don’t often point fingers at sins like pride, greed, lies, or cheating on taxes, which are just as heinous to God.) But if you’re homeless or a pregnant teen or a recovering drug addict, you are often pre-judged by more than just a few.
When a person accepts Christ, they do not become perfect. If a new believer is not “discipled”, that is, no one helps them grow in their new faith, the new Christian will struggle to leave their former life. Saved or not, we still have a sin nature, and those that have been involved in certain sins for a long time or believe the world’s lies that ungodly behaviors are okay, it is difficult to abruptly change. Without godly teaching, how will new converts know their choices are truly sinful? Yes, I understand the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, but the Bible is clear that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to move the hearts of His children. Righteous living doesn’t just happen. Philippians 2:12 states, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This doesn’t mean we work for our salvation, but once saved, we work to understand more about God’s righteousness and how we can identify those parts of us that are NOT like Him. Then we work to get rid of them. But this is a process. It doesn’t happen instantaneously. We’re forgiven completely and immediately upon salvation, but the act of living “righteously” is just beginning. (This is when it’s so wonderful to be clothed in His righteousness when we get saved! Isaiah 61:10) The Bible is our standard for godly living, but truthfully, there’s a lot to learn within its pages. That is why it is so important for mature Christians to help the new ones in a loving, godly, nonjudgmental way to learn more about how to live according to God’s Word. As an individual matures in their faith, they become more sensitive to the work of God’s Spirit as He convicts of sin and helps create a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” When I accepted Christ as my Saviour, God began to work on me, making me more like Jesus… that is, more aligned to His righteousness. I am still continually learning how to live according to His will, and sometimes it is two steps forward and one step backward. I still struggle with forgiving myself for my past choices. Occasionally, a tiny fear pops up and whispers that maybe God wouldn’t really forgive for a particular sin, and of course, my self-imposed AND irrational guilt keeps me from the truth in God’s Word. But, God in His goodness continually opens my eyes to His truth through sound Biblical teaching and personal Bible study.
In the last few months as I have reflected over my life and chosen behaviors, God has provided message after message that truly offered such assurance that every single sin in my life before or after salvation was completed forgiven and forgotten by Him. Intellectually, I knew that, but my heart was fearful and doubting… God in His goodness to me assured me again and again that I was His child, and that I was His work in progress. But in full transparency, those doubts still find their way in my head every now and then. However, God doesn’t quit reassuring.
This past weekend I attended a ladies’ retreat where the theme was “God as a Father”, and I loved being called a “daughter” of the King. Then, yesterday, my pastor preached on Hebrews 12:6, and BAM! Just like that, I felt the light of truth shine brighter! Hebrews 12:7 states “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” I am a child of God!!! The Lord deals with me as a Father deals with His children… I am one of those!!! He definitely got hold of me years ago, and when I was saved, I became His child FOREVER!
So why do the doubts still come? In reality, I am beginning to acknowledge where the doubts have been coming from. I am reminded of Genesis 3:1 states, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” The Father of Lies casted doubt into Eve’s mind then just as he does to my mind now.
But God is faithful. He has been gently renewing my mind since March 10, 1968, when I bowed before Him, sought His forgiveness, and invited Him to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Romans 12:2 states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”, and Titus 3: 5 also says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Yes, I sinned after salvation; yes, I believed the world when it said there was no one being hurt, so it was okay; yes, I carried the guilt and shame for years; but praise the Lord, I can now say, yes, I am free today because GOD IS GOOD! He tenderly held me in His arms and reminded me again and again through His Word that I belong to Him. I am His child, and He loves me with an everlasting love… then, now, and forever!
If you’ve been held captive by your post-salvation sins, it’s time to stop listening to the fiery darts of doubt that Satan continues to throw at you. As you mature in your Christian walk, you’ll understand more and more of what is still sin in your life, and what you need to do to be free of it. Realize that you are a child of God no matter what, and that He has already forgiven you. It’s time to forgive yourself. Don’t believe what your mind knows are lies; it’s time for your heart to do the same. God only speaks truth; He never lies, so believe what Jesus says in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Memory Verse: “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” – Proverbs 3:12
Stretching your thoughts:
1. How do you feel realizing you are a true child of God with a heavenly Father who has forgiven your sins past, present, and future, and loves and values you so much?
2. Every now and then, one of Satan’s fiery darts of doubt may slip through your shield of faith. What strategies can you use when he continues to attack you, casting doubt on your worth to God?
He was made sin, the curse He took, when He for me did die;
The load of all my past is gone, no weight on me doth lie.
He says my sins are blotted out, not one can rise again;
The blood He shed on Calvary cleanseth from ev'ry stain.
O wondrous grace, so rich and free,
For He has died for even me;
The blood He shed on Calvary
Cleanseth from ev'ry stain.
(from “The Past, Present and Future” by F. E. Marsh)