June 5, 2011 · Heb 12

Heb 12_1-12 - Marks of Maturity - Persevering

“We all have our pains, but I hope that we all, as we grow in Christ, can become mature enough to start to face life's severe torture and trauma as God's wise disciples. We can face it as, this is God's discipline. This is God's training in my life. Because what is training and discipline resulting? Well, it results in an Olympic medal in righteousness. God tests our medal to give us the medal of gold and spiritual maturity. It says that we will have a harvest of righteousness and peace. I love that. Going through, and during this pain, you will come at the end of it, and you can find peace, a harvest of righteousness. We will share in his holiness, as we go through this stuff. Imagine sharing in the holiness of God. … People see this stuff. The end goal is to see you all golden. To make you more mature, more attractive, and virtuous people. like Jesus. … That type of respect will come to you, even when the people who don't like you, because you have matured in Christ to the point where you now have characteristics and virtues in your life that no one can deny. That's an exciting goal. But remember, it never seems pleasant. Never seems pleasant. That's a huge warning sticker.”