Hebrews 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
Today’s passage gives one of the reasons for discipline, holiness. This is good, as we often need reasons. We still often are shocked that they (discipline & trials) happen at all. 1 Peter 4:12 tells us not to be “surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing.” None of us wants difficulties. We will always want to be rid of them. This reason, holiness, will help us with perspective. Peter refers to being surprised. We are surprised when we are experiencing something we didn’t expect. The Bible is replete with warnings as to our testing. Just as the potter molds the clay, so God molds us through difficulties. The reason for difficulties spoken of in today’s passage is to share in His holiness. This is an interesting trait. It’s not a human one. When I think of holiness, I think of a pius, somber person dressed in religious clothing. This is not holiness. Holiness is part of God’s nature. It has to do with being clean or pure. Just as a forger will purify metals at the foundry, so God works on purifying us. The trials remove the uncleanness from us. It may be a bad attitude or a sinful habit. How do we know what things need to go? The negatives in scripture are things we can’t do (the ten commandments, etc.). What else? As we grow in Christ, He shines the light on different areas within us. It doesn’t mean we walk around and self perfect. There are many areas in life that are ok. 1 Corinthians 10:23 says that “all things are lawful, but not all things edify.” That is part of the difference between christianity and other religions, they seek to abstain from all things joyful, etc. We are to focus on the areas on which He is directing us. He removes things that are hurting us. When we try to self perfect by all sorts of abstaining, we lose our joy. The presence or absence of joy is a good test as to whether God’s directing or we are in control. People’s reaction is also a good test. If they think we are a “goody two shoes”, that’s self directed, if they are drawn to us, because we have something to offer (like Jesus did) that’s of God. Lord, thank You that You are at work within us to make us holy. Use us for Your glory.