The strong negative stigma of having children or being born out of wedlock today has lost much of its former potency. Not long ago even in western cultures children considered "illegitimate" or of dubious origin were mocked and shunned. In the Bible we read that Jephthah was driven away from home by his brothers because he was the son of another mother. Being deemed a bastard had legal consequences as well. For instance, an illegitimate son could be denied an inheritance and could not be a rightful heir. In Bible times there were strong consequences even in regards to worship. Deuteronomy 23:2: "One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD." The exact meaning of the words translated "illegitimate birth" has been hotly debated by Jewish Rabbis, but the point is this: the illegitimate nature of a person's conception had a far-reaching and often negative impact on life.
Even as a man and woman are necessary to conceive and bear children, so children have need of both their father and mother to raise them. I cannot imagine how my life would have been impacted as a child without my dad or mum. It used to be a boy who never knew his father was called a "child without a name," and I imagine the lack of a name would be the least of his worries. I am grateful to have been raised by both my parents, but the day came when I left their immediate care. Now I live on the other side of the world, and though the internet, technology, and modern transportation keeps us closer than has ever been possible, a divide remains. A man need not leave a city, state, or country for a divide to exist. The day comes when a son or daughter leaves home, embarks on a career, is married, and the nature of the parent/child relationship changes. As much as a parent always wants to "be there" for their children, no one will live forever. Praise God He has offered to be an eternal, heavenly Father who will always be there for His children. He is not limited by distance or advancing age: He provides, protects, and corrects us faithfully.
This morning I was listening to a message by Jon Courson and he reminded the congregation: "Sin is not bad because it is forbidden; sin is forbidden because it is bad." A good father who loves his son will discipline him. If we have embraced a life of sin and are not under conviction or being chastised by God in a painful way for it, it may indicate we are not children of God at all. Sobering words! Listen to what Hebrews 12:5-8 says: "...My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons." People can be downright gleeful in their sin. It may even seem for a prolonged season they are unaffected by sin which works for their ruin. God loves all people, but those who have received His love through being born again by the Gospel, in His love He will swat us. He will even allow us to go into oppressive captivity for a season, taken captive by Satan to do his will. God ultimately inflicts sharp pain to correct His children - all working towards our ultimate restoration, deliverance, and refinement. If we are bastards and not sons of God by the blood of Christ, then we cannot legally receive any inheritance of eternal life from Him.
Don't despise the chastening of the LORD, believer. And we need not concern ourselves that God isn't chastening others as we think He ought. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He knows very well how to manage His own flock. He does not need advice from the sheep of how to best do this. He is a loving Father who knows the hearts of His children perfectly. God knows the best way to discipline each one, and we must answer the call as His child to act as an obedient, reverent, and faithful child towards Him. The words of Jesus to Peter when he asked concerning John ring in my ears as an appropriate application. John 21:21-22 says, "Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." God is our good Father, and let us concern ourselves with being good sons and daughters. Praise the LORD for His correction which prevents us from self-destruction! It is better to be spared from future sin by pain now than for God to spare the rod and refuse to accept us as sons. I would rather have a good Father who inflicts pain motivated by love than to live in my sin and suffer without help or hope. What would you prefer?
Even as a man and woman are necessary to conceive and bear children, so children have need of both their father and mother to raise them. I cannot imagine how my life would have been impacted as a child without my dad or mum. It used to be a boy who never knew his father was called a "child without a name," and I imagine the lack of a name would be the least of his worries. I am grateful to have been raised by both my parents, but the day came when I left their immediate care. Now I live on the other side of the world, and though the internet, technology, and modern transportation keeps us closer than has ever been possible, a divide remains. A man need not leave a city, state, or country for a divide to exist. The day comes when a son or daughter leaves home, embarks on a career, is married, and the nature of the parent/child relationship changes. As much as a parent always wants to "be there" for their children, no one will live forever. Praise God He has offered to be an eternal, heavenly Father who will always be there for His children. He is not limited by distance or advancing age: He provides, protects, and corrects us faithfully.
This morning I was listening to a message by Jon Courson and he reminded the congregation: "Sin is not bad because it is forbidden; sin is forbidden because it is bad." A good father who loves his son will discipline him. If we have embraced a life of sin and are not under conviction or being chastised by God in a painful way for it, it may indicate we are not children of God at all. Sobering words! Listen to what Hebrews 12:5-8 says: "...My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons." People can be downright gleeful in their sin. It may even seem for a prolonged season they are unaffected by sin which works for their ruin. God loves all people, but those who have received His love through being born again by the Gospel, in His love He will swat us. He will even allow us to go into oppressive captivity for a season, taken captive by Satan to do his will. God ultimately inflicts sharp pain to correct His children - all working towards our ultimate restoration, deliverance, and refinement. If we are bastards and not sons of God by the blood of Christ, then we cannot legally receive any inheritance of eternal life from Him.
Don't despise the chastening of the LORD, believer. And we need not concern ourselves that God isn't chastening others as we think He ought. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He knows very well how to manage His own flock. He does not need advice from the sheep of how to best do this. He is a loving Father who knows the hearts of His children perfectly. God knows the best way to discipline each one, and we must answer the call as His child to act as an obedient, reverent, and faithful child towards Him. The words of Jesus to Peter when he asked concerning John ring in my ears as an appropriate application. John 21:21-22 says, "Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." God is our good Father, and let us concern ourselves with being good sons and daughters. Praise the LORD for His correction which prevents us from self-destruction! It is better to be spared from future sin by pain now than for God to spare the rod and refuse to accept us as sons. I would rather have a good Father who inflicts pain motivated by love than to live in my sin and suffer without help or hope. What would you prefer?
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