Bastards in the Kingdom

Hebrew 12:8-9

8. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Paul is writing to the Hebrew church. The gist of his message is; if we don't endure the chastening of the Lord, we are considered to be and treated as bastards. However, the primary principle we really need to understand regarding chastening, or son training, is that its purpose is to destroy the influence of temptations to the flesh. This is accomplished in our Father’s ability to control the route we travel in this world. This route is sure to take us through hardships, and we are certain to experience many negatives, such as reproaches and persecutions. It doesn't matter how bad it gets, God is not going to remove the obstacles until He knows we are persuaded in the mind of Christ. This route is designed to teach us to endure hardness. It is not infested with trials due to sin. All who are righteous will have to walk a way that will take them through suffering in the flesh. We may go through extremely negative situations for a season and then they will seem to improve; but they never improve enough for us to declare that a complete turnaround took place. Suffering is designed to promote spiritual growth. But sometimes it seems that with all the suffering and living holy, the persecution or stress on the flesh seems to escalate. We never seem to get the relief we long for. This is because God knows what it takes to establish a resolve in us. He knows what and how long it takes to baptize us in his principles. He is training us to live above the discomforts of the flesh and unlawful fleshy emotions. The truth is, you will never know that you have the power to do so without the chastening of the Lord leading you into divers trials.

BASTARDS

If we resist the chastening of the Lord and turn away from the truth because the way of the Lord offends us, then we become as bastards. We are treated as children who have no Father. The Lord does not delight in us and at that point we are in danger of becoming reprobates. The word bastard is a Greek word meaning: spurious and illegitimate; false and not being what it was purposed to be. I want you to consider the mind of our Father here. Those of his children who do not submit to his chastening are bastards. They are false and illegitimate. It is interesting to note that the term bastard in the script means the same thing in our world today. A child is born a bastard, not because he does not have a biological father, but because it is questionable or uncertain who the real father is and/or because the real father lays no claim to the child. This is the message our Heavenly Father is seeking to convey to us. When we resist or refuse to endure chastisement, though he birthed us into the kingdom, he lays no claim to us. He is cool though; for he has already stated the conclusion of the matter.

Matthew 13:37-43

37. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The gist of the above passage is that in the end of this world the wicked (tares) in the world shall be gathered and burned in the fire. But just as the tares who were always the children of the devil, are burned so shall they all who are in the kingdom, that do iniquity be gathered out of the kingdom and cast into a furnace of fire. Well there goes the argument “once saved, always saved.” This is the fate of the bastards. They have called into question their legitimacy and God the Father lays no claim to them. But it is interesting to see that they are allowed to remain in the kingdom until the day of harvest. I believe this is because they are given the chance to repent and do as the prodigal; return to their Father’s house. Notice the response of the father of the prodigal son.

Luke 15:20-24

20. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

If the bastards return to the Father he will receive them again. But this is a dangerous game to play. Those who reject chastening risk progressing from bastard to reprobate. The bastard rejects God, but the reprobate is rejected by God. There is no possibility of return. They are thrown back into the kingdom of darkness. Let us make a resolve to endure the chastening of the Lord. Do not put your soul in jeopardy by flirting with the world. Allow the Spirit to lead and guide you during this time of sojourning here on earth.