Disciplined so we may share in His holiness

Hebrews 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. Yesterday, we were encouraged that our Father in heaven disciplines us for our highest good and our greatest satisfaction. That is reaffirmed by today’s verse, isn’t it? Again, we have a contrast between our earthly fathers and our heavenly father. The first observation in this verse is that there’s a contrast in time perspective. An earthly father disciplines with the immediate time in view. Perhaps he was thinking of the immediate time when the father feels that his child needs help. It’s a short time according to the author. Or perhaps he was thinking that the child-rearing years are only a short time compared to a lifetime. In contrast, our heavenly father disciplines us with eternity in view, which is for our good. He knows where we are going. He knows what and who we are going to face, but most of all He wants us to share His holiness. This leads us to the second observation.  Second, the author wrote that earthly fathers are motivated by what seemed best for them at that time; however, in contrast, our heavenly Father disciplines us for what is best for us. We can be greatly encouraged that whatever we are going through in our journey in this life, it is that we might be set apart to Him for His glory. That apparently is our highest good. We are being sanctified in this life with eternity in view. The concept that helps me understand holiness is the concept of unity or oneness with God. Jesus is one with the Father. His life is dedicated to, set apart for, and united with God. God put us in Jesus, making us one with Him. We have been dedicated to God through Christ. We are set apart for Him and united with Him. Jesus prayed that we may be one even as He and the Father are one (John 17:11). In other words, He prayed that we might share His holiness.  Jesus commanded His disciples to live to love each other with Him because that called them to the same purpose in life that Jesus had with the Father. Living to love with Jesus is oneness with Jesus. It’s sharing the same purpose in ministry as Jesus. He lived to love with His Father, and He has called us to live to love with Him with the Father. We endure His discipline, His training, so we may share His holiness. Therefore, don’t grow weary or lose heart as you run the race set before you. Trust in the Father. Abide in Christ by drawing near to Him for grace to help in any circumstance or relationship. Draw upon His fullness and love well for His glory.