It is a matter of fact that Christians will be disciplined by God in ways that are very painful. If one is not being disciplined, and-or is not being changed by that discipline, one should have no confidence in their being God's child. We will face persecution for our faith and pain due to our sin, and because our Father loves us He will grow us in holiness as a result. We must stop having contempt for the discipline that comes into our lives because we are children of God, and be thankful for every bit of it.

Beloved, our Christian lives are a battle to please God by faithful living. In this difficult battle we must put off worldly lusts and the besetting sins that distract us from our purpose. We are to look away from worldly distractions, and look to Jesus Christ, the source of our faith. Since we will never have to battle against our sin before God because of Jesus, let's run the race set before us with endurance.

By faith, the Old Testament saints obtained a good testimony. Whether they had temporal triumphs or tortures, their faithful lives are our example to live by. By faith, we will be obedient to Christ's commands, no matter the temporal outcome, knowing that The Promise has come and has perfectly accomplished the plan of redemption, in Whom we have our hope.

David was a man after God's own heart. David lived a life full of faithful obedience and extraordinary accomplishments that we are to follow. David was also a man who sinned greatly. While we certainly are not to willfully sin in the ways David sinned, we are to follow his pattern of true repentance and renewed faithfulness.

By faith, imperfect men did great works for God as they trusted in the power and promises of God, risking their very lives, to be obedient to God's commands. Beloved, all Christians sin and still possess the faith to do great things for God. Let us press on by faith, regardless of our failings, to love and good works and encourage the Brethren to do the same.

Anti-Pragmatic, supernatural faith is supernatural, but is not at all anti pragmatic. Trusting in and obeying the God who has miraculously saved us, and who has promised us certain outcomes is only logical for a Christian.