KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:
P.G. Muller on Jesus in Hebrew 12:2 He strode ahead of all believers in faith and led faith to its definitive end.
“perfector” – from teleiotes – means “consummator“; specifically refers to Jesus, the one bringing the life of faith to its complete conclusion (consummation, finish). In every scene of His earthly life, Jesus lived in faith, i.e. receiving and perfectly obeying the Father’s will.
Faith is vindicated by the works it produces.
If Jesus could endure, by grace through faith, in light of all that He went through, then we can endure, by grace through faith, given all that we are called to endure (which is much less).
The credibility of this claim that the writer was making regarding a fortiori is based on God’s integrity. In fact, this integrity is intrinsic to God’s grace.
William Lane on Biblical Discipline The Biblical concept of discipline combines the nuances of training, instruction, and firm guidance with those of reproof, correction, and punishment.
All suffering was ordained in your life before you were even born! And, if God planned it, then it must be for good to His glory.
“conformed” – from summorphos – means properly, conformed, by sharing the same inner essence–identity (form); showing similar behavior from having the same essential nature (ref: Php 3:7-11)
Discipline implies suffering.
Suffering, regardless of whose hands administer it in our lives (e.g., self or others), has been ordained by God for good, to His glory, ultimately. And since God promises to sanctify His own, our faith will never fail, only waver from time to time, depending on our spiritual maturity.