The Discipline of a Loving Father

The temptation for these believers was, in part, to grow weary and fainthearted in the face of cultural resistance, personal temptation, and wavering trust in Christ. In response, their pastor now exhorts them to once again “consider Jesus”, while also adding an additional layer of truth: in their difficulties they are being treated as God’s sons. Even good earthly fathers bring loving discipline to their kids, in order to train, instruct, and correct, so why wouldn’t the perfect Father do likewise, so that His kids can ultimately experience “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”