Subject to the Father
It is a father’s job to interfere when necessary. We discipline because we love (Hebrews 12:6 bibrefhebrews12 bibrefhebrews12v6). It is also a father’s job to give gifts and invite into fellowship. We declare our love in words, as well as through shared time and sacrifices and delight.
Usually we reason from heaven to earth. We consider our Heavenly Father and try to reflect Him, and that’s good. But a couple times the Bible argues the other way, with a “how much more.” If the lesser is true, how much more true is the greater.
Even earthly fathers discipline for the good of their kids, how much more when the Father disciplines us unto holiness?
we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (Hebrews 12:9 bibrefhebrews12 bibrefhebrews12v9 ESV)
And even earthly fathers don’t give rocks when their kids ask for bread, how much greater our Father in heaven?
which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9–11 bibrefmatthew7 bibrefmatthew7v9 bibrefmatthew7v10 bibrefmatthew7v11 ESV)
The greatest “good thing” the Father gave is His Son.
Confession and communion. Rebuke and rejoicing. Discipline and delight. Forgiveness and fellowship. How much more does our Heavenly Father give to us?!
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32 bibrefromans8 bibrefromans8v32 ESV)