8/23/2007 Hebrews 12:3-17 (NRSV)

Hebrews 12:3-17 (NRSV)
Call for endurance

Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that
you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not
yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the
exhortation that addresses you as children -
"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts."

Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what
child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that
discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his
children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected
them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits
and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he
disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now,
discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make
straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but
rather be healed.

Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the
Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of
bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.
See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who
sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to
inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even
though he sought the blessing with tears.