Hebrews 12:3-11 Something hit me the other day. I was reading through Hebrews and came to the encouragement of 12:1-5. Many saints have gone before us, faithful to the end of their lives, and are watching us as we travel the same road. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, who also remained faithful through the cross because he saw the joy waiting for him. The audience of Hebrews had not yet become martyrs, and they are God’s sons ("children" if you prefer), and so are not to grow weary or fainthearted. But at v5b I have always felt a disconnect where it says we will be disciplined, reproved, and chastised by the Lord, as a father disciplines his children. How exactly is punishment for sins an encouragement?
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