Hebrews 12:9

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?

“Reverence” means a deep respect for someone or something. Golf is a gentleman’s game as you are your own official or referee. It is impossible to have a rules official watching every shot and only you know exactly what transpired and how many it took to transpire. Whenever integrity is necessary, you will always find “cheating”. I am sure many of us have played in a four person scramble with one ball barely off the green and another 20 feet away from the hole. Instead of picking up his ball, the player off the green attempts to chip his ball for “practice”. If it goes in, the team elects to use the ball further away and card a birdie. Of course if it doesn’t, the team proceeds to go to the closer ball on the green. We also know the guy who always finds his ball no matter how far or deep into the high weeds it goes. He not only locates and identifies his ball, but it also lies as if it is on a tee. Cheaters have no reverence for themselves, their playing partners, or the game of golf. Our society has lost reverence for any relationship of authority. Children speak to their parents like someone who is berating a fast food worker who messed up their order. Much of the loss of reverence is due to the parents serving as a friend instead of a mother or father. Discipline involves “time out” or nothing at all because any corrective measure causes more hardship on the parent than the child. In Hebrews 12:6, we are told, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Discipline reflects love. Social media has illuminated the deep rooted hatred for everyone holding a political office. A quick read of any tweet from our President or Senator will show people publicly threatening, harassing, and degrading utilizing racial language and/or obscenities. Our God is due the utmost reverence. John Gill in his “Exposition of the Bible”, wrote He is deserving:

“because he is the author and donor of all spiritual gifts, and particularly of regenerating grace; it is he who renews a right spirit in them, and puts a new spirit into them: now such ought to be in “subjection” to him; not only as creatures to a Creator, and as subjects to their prince: but as children to a father, and particularly to him, as and when correcting; they should bow to his sovereignty, resign to his will, be humble under his mighty hand, be still and quiet, and bear all patiently; the advantage arising from such a subjection is life.”

We as Christians should take any reproof or correction from our Heavenly Father as proof we are His child. Hebrews 12:8 teaches you are not His child if He does not correct or chasten. Reverence requires a great deal of humbleness and subjection. We must resign to fact our minds and flesh cannot be “saved” or “perfected.” Only our souls can experience salvation. We are in a constant battle against the flesh and its desires. When we recognize the effect of sin and carnal desires on our lives, we can fully appreciate and be thankful for His correction.