Hebrews 12:8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Here we have a description of one of the biggest problems in soci­ety today. A few years ago it was widely discussed, but now it is so pervasive that it is taken for granted or ignored. Illegitimate children have existed throughout history, but in some ethnic groups in the US today, they account for over half of all the children born. When we add in all the functionally absent fathers, the situation is clearly dire indeed. The devil hates families, not just because he desires evil for mankind but because families teach us to relate rightly to our heavenly Father. No earthly father is perfect, but we still fill an absolutely essential role in raising our children. That’s why, in cases of tragedy, a “father figure” is of great importance for children. That might be a grandfather or a family friend, or even a school teacher or sports coach, but such a person is essential. That’s one of the many lies of the feminist movement, that men are completely unessential, except perhaps as sperm donors. God designed us to live in families, with each member having a different role. Those roles change over time, because you can’t relate to your teenager the way you would to a toddler, and the relationship changes even further – but doesn’t disappear – when the child marries and has children of their own. The issue mentioned in this verse, discipline, is a major factor in that. It is a sad truth that the Japanese language has no good word for discipline. (The Bible translation I’m using says “training” in this verse.) However, “disciple” is a valid and widely understood term. In English we sometimes lose that connection, but discipline is indeed discipleship training. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to make disciples for Him, and that requires discipline, whether we like it or not. As this passage talks about, we need to accept God’s discipline with gratitude, not resentment: gratitude that He loves us enough, cares enough, to give us what we need instead of what we want.

This applies as much to me as it does to anyone. I was blessed with a loving, conscientious, believing father, but the majority of people around me were not as blessed in that area as I was. As a result, I have become a father figure to a number of people, and I must not take that lightly. One of my spiritual children, whose parents divorced before I met him, openly acknowledges that relationship, and there are others that aren’t that obvious. As a pastor, in a number of ways I am the “father” in this church, even though we aren’t Catholic and don’t use that terminology. I am to take that seriously, and as Paul recognized, use that authority to build people up and not tear them down. (2 Corinthians 10:8) I also must remember that my authority comes only from being submitted to my heavenly Father.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This issue comes into play more often than I’m aware, I think. Help me indeed accept Your discipline and grow from it, rejoicing that You love me enough to apply “the board of education” to “the seat of learning.” May I be a loving channel of Your discipline to those in my care, so that together we may grow to be the children that You desire, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!