Conflicting Statements

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children.  Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?  If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.  Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?


For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how.  But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  [Hebrews 12.7-11]

Something is wrong with this!  I know it all sounds really good and spiritual, but are we not paying attention to the whole letter of Hebrews?  All of Hebrews chapter 10 stands in contrast to this passage quoted above, but most particularly chapter 10 verse 10:

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Anyone see the problem here?  Hebrews 12.10 and Hebrews 10.10 say two completely different things.  Either Jesus' suffering makes us holy or our own suffering makes us holy - it cannot be both ways!  Either one negates the need for the other! 

Father, You know my heart.  You know what I believe regarding Your Son.  You know what I believe regarding Your Word.  You know I believe.  And, You know that my faith is that Jesus suffered ALL my penalty for sin - once and for all.  And You know that if I must choose between Jesus' sacrifice for my sinfulness or my own sacrifice for my sinfulness, I must choose Jesus.  I know I am incapable of achieving holiness because I am sinful by nature and no amount of personal suffering will ever suffice for my justification.  It has to be Jesus.  I have no idea what to do with Hebrews conflictng statements - but I turn to Jesus.