The Cost of Apostasy

1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…”

We love this verse! In fact, it has been the inspiration for many hymns and songs in Christianity. Yet have you ever stopped to think of the implications? If God loves us and calls us “sons,” what ought we to expect when it comes to our relationship with Him? We could answer this in many positive ways. However, there is a facet that is rather heavy.

Hebrews 12:7b-8, “God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”

It is sort of like pastoral care in the context of a local church. We love knowing that there is a group of men who are praying for us, watching over us, and so caring for us. Yet this also means that if we rebel, they are coming after us. And so it is with God! Love on His part means that in this state of sin and misery there is going to be trial and difficulty NOT because the Lord somehow has become angry with us BUT because He will not allow us to self-destruct in our sin.