Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION ( GW ); being entitled: PRAY THE SCRIPTURES BIBLE. Hebrews 12:1-8 read as follows:
"1 Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. 2 We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. 3 Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don't become tired and give up. 4 You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven't killed you. 5 You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: 'My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don't give up when he corrects you. 6 The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child.' 7 Endure your discipline. God corrects you as a father corrects his children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. 8 If you aren't disciplined like the other children, you aren't part of the family."
As Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), we are Christ's slaves ( see Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39 ( KJV, for example ), for example ); 20:28, Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), 1 Corinthians 7:18-24 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), Galatians 3:26, 27, Colossians 1:13-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ), and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ): we are also servants or slaves of God, the Father ( see 1 Peter 2:16 and cf. Philemon, verses 15 and 16 ( especially verse 16, for example ), for example, and please read verses eight through twenty-two to get the immediate context ). See also John 10:30, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ), and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), for example.
As the heavenly Father's ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) slaves, he severely disciplines us; being accepted as His children ( as we read in verse six, above ). If we are not disciplined by Him, then we are not part of His family ( as is implied in verse eight, above ). There is no such thing as a denominational slave of God ( see Ephesians 4:5, for example ). Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, 151, John 17:1, 3, 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
NOTE: Please see also Proverbs 3:11, 12 and Revelation 3:19 ( as cross-references from verses five and six ( above ), respectively, in the King James Version ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible, for example, with center-column references, for example ), for example.
