Redemption>Perfection

July 25

Read: Hebrews 12:3-11

Redemption > Perfection

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” - Heb. 12:3,4

The struggle against sin is wearisome. There is no other way to describe it. It will drain you and leave you exhausted and “faint of heart”. Have you ever wondered why God allows sin to remain in this world? Why is it that he has not simply eradicated it or made us impervious to it in this life?

There is something better - more glorifying to God - about his children “fighting the good fight” against sin than his simply making them “holiness robots”. (cf. 1 Tim 6:11,12, 2 Tim 4:7) There is something good to be found in “the wrestle”… in the battle. My friend Ed Sweeney and I have often discussed this idea: It would seem as though God favors “redemption over perfection”. Christ has redeemed us as his people. he has completely wiped away the penalty of our sins as well as freed us from sin as a slave master. (cf. Rom. 3:25, 6:15-22, 1 John 2:2) Nevertheless sin wars against the children of God… and furthermore God allows it. Why?

Each battle with sin is an opportunity to be cultivated and developed by the Lord. Each time we struggle we are given the chance to align ourselves more and more with Christ. This is why we “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (v.3,4) Each instance of dealing with sin … whether standing firm under the temptation or succumbing to it … is a moment where we can consider Christ. We look to him as inspiration or we are reminded that he has already forgiven us. Either way our eyes are set on Christ and HE energizes us (fights against our becoming “weary”) and strengthens our hearts.

We “struggle” against sin not because our old self has not been done away with… quite the opposite actually. We “struggle” with sin because we are no longer its slave and it is trying to entangle us and destroy us. To fight against sin is to affirm our new identity in Christ. These interactions / conflicts with sin actually shape us… they actually develop virtue within us:

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives… It is for discipline that you have to endure.” (v.5,6,7)

The word “discipline” here is actually one of instruction. It means, “whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions; instruction which aims at increasing virtue.” (cf. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) God is cultivating our souls and instructing us in a way that increases our virtue by correcting us and sustaining us in the process of struggling with sin. It is not a matter of our salvation - that is completed in Christ. It is not a matter of those sins still being “in us”… they have been removed from us. We wrestle against sin like an opponent in the ring. We learn from both our wins as well as our losses. God loves us as his children enough that he corrects us, coaches us, trains us, and rebukes us when we need it. This is NOT punishment nor is it anger or wrath. Jesus has absorbed every bit of that from the Father towards his people. The “discipline” of the Lord creates “discipline” in us in the sense of order, development, building up, and improving us.

Do not grow weary or fainthearted. God favors redemption over perfection. He is with us in the battle. Christ has already won on our behalf, nevertheless the Lord sets before us a “race” to run with patience and endurance. When we feel worn out, turn to Christ and he strengthens us. When we are defeated, turn to Christ and he reminds us lovingly that we are already forgiven. Listen to the Lord as he teaches / rebukes / corrects… it will always come with a gentle tone… one of love and restoration. The Father “disciplines us for our GOOD”. (v.10) Matthew Henry says this: “But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit.” This is the path to “sharing in his holiness” as his people. (v.10) This process is painful in the moment… it is no fun. But take heart: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (v.11) Love you guys. - JDP