Heb. 12:5

5 And [kai] ye have forgotten [eklanthanomai] the exhortation [paraklesis] which [hostis] speaketh [dialegomai] unto you [humin] as [hos] unto children [huios], My [mou] son [huios], despise [oligoreo] not [me] thou [oligoreo] the chastening [paideia] of the Lord [kurios], nor [mede] faint [ekluo] when thou art rebuked [elegcho] of [hupo] him [autos]: KJV-Interlinear

5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him NASB

Approximately two-thirds of the worlds population is Christian. Christianity is by far the largest faith on this planet. One would think that with so many Christians, the prosperity of the world would be far greater than it is. And, if everyone were on track with their spiritual lives, then that would be the case. The Millennium will be history s example of this principle.

However, most of the believers alive today are not spiritually strong, but more or less indifferent toward Gods exhortation. And that is the subject of this passage.

Christians are well aware of a great deal of the content of the Bible. Most know of Christ of course. Most know of the differences between right and wrong. Most folks know the difference between honesty and dishonesty. Most know and understand how to conduct ones life in this world, and that is generally the problem. Knowing how to conduct ones self is one thing, but when your conduct is the focal point of your life, then a lot gets left out with respect to Biblical principles.

As a result, we have the many opinions which arise in the many talk shows on the air, on radio and on television, and in print. That is why you will see many attitudes and beliefs toward abortion for example, toward war, toward charity, toward politics in general, toward alternative life styles, even in the way you decide whether or not you will like or dislike someone.

Without sound doctrine in the soul, then attitudes and opinions develop from popular belief and not from Gods teaching. Popular beliefs are rarely based on sound doctrine. Which also means that popular beliefs are rarely based on truth.

The spiritual life requires a sound foundation of Bible doctrine in the soul. This is acquired in only one way through the daily study of the Word of God, in the proper teaching format. That is, by being in fellowship and by listening and being open minded about what it is that you are being taught. The Holy Spirit will make all things that are truth, clear to you sooner or later.

You can attend a church every Sunday and think that you are doing what is expected of you. Perhaps the church is a more into social activities for its members, or perhaps the church is a forum for political propaganda or other philosophies. If you ever get outside of that church and hear truth, then you will eventually learn that your attendance there is doing you no good. At least spiritually.

Likewise, when you hear a controversy on some subject, then like most folks, you probably jump to quick conclusions after hearing the early reports. But if you are open minded and wait for more information, you will eventually make better decisions or form better opinions based on sound and more thorough information.

Gods teaching should be treated no different. You need to hear it, learn it, and remember it. And better still, apply it to your daily life. Those last three parts are generally where people get messed up in their spiritual life. They hear doctrine, but don t listen. They do not maintain their life in fellowship and so they never get a clear picture of what it is that God is teaching. They get things all mixed up.

So some wear black only. Others reject technology. Still others don t see any harm in living a life style so long as it doesn t hurt anyone else (so they think). Then there are the crusaders for this belief or that belief, for this standard of living or that standard of living. And on and on and on the attitudes of humanity continue, into an almost infinite number of beliefs, most of which are way off base with Bible doctrine.

Opinions become so numerous that doctrine gets lost in the fog, and thus we have Gods discipline.

God teaches us through discipline. He corrects us, educates us, even prevents us through His discipline. After all, discipline s primary purpose is for teaching and training not for beating.

Gods exhortation is His strong urging, His strong arguments, His advice, His appeal to each one of us, such that we will learn truth, learn the correct orientation to God, to life, to people and especially to ourselves. And, to build capacity for life, for prosperity, and again, especially to build capacity for suffering that is certain to come along from this world.

When we get away from God, then discipline is right around the corner. We will only figure it all out when we get truth into our soul. Truth in the soul gives you capacity and orientation for discernment in life. If you depend on the things you have in life, then that is your first mistake. Things do not and cannot provide wisdom. If you depend on your life style, if you depend on the way you live your life, if you depend on your habits in life, then you are making another big mistake. Wisdom does not come from your habits of life.

Prov. 3:11-12

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights. NASB

Forgetfulness causes lots of difficulties in life. Gods purpose is not to entertain us with new miracles every day, but He expects us to learn and retain that which we should already know.

Forgotten exhortation, exhortation never learned (properly), exhortation ignored, exhortation used selectively, exhortation which is modified to your own standard of life, leads to trouble for your life.

So you can make things easier on yourself, or you can make life more difficult for yourself simply by your adopted attitude toward God and doctrine.

Now is the time to post a prayer.