Read Hebrews 12:4-13.

If we respect the discipline of our earthly fathers, who make mistakes, how much more should we appreciate our heavenly Father’s perfect discipline (see Hebrews 12:9)? God's purposes and methods are always for our benefit (see v. 10). Discipline is for our good even when we can’t see it that way at the time. It is intended to move us, the children of God, along the path of Christian living, of sanctification, of increasing Christlikeness. But the Scripture is both realistic and truthful: In the moment, discipline, whether from our human father or our heavenly Father, causes us sorrow and not joy (see v. 11).

Painful as it is, however, discipline brings rewards. Those who are trained will yield the fruit of righteousness in due time. Like the athlete who trains hard day after day, it takes time before we can see the results of our spiritual discipline. So we must not scorn or resent discipline that leads to repentance. Rather, we must submit to it, for in our discipline what was broken can be healed (see v. 13). That must be the purpose of all forms of discipline. 

In fact, the word discipline comes from the same root as the word discipleship. God's purpose is to heal—to restore, not to destroy. That’s why, in Scripture, God frequently disciplined His people. Likewise, if believers are to obey Christ, we must lovingly confront the believer who has strayed into sin. We must be adamant to encourage a spirit of repentance leading to restoration.

Tragically, there are some people who persist in their disregard of the law of God. Scripture tells the Church to hand these souls over to God and withdraw fellowship as a last resort (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-5). To be cruel? To give up? No, discipline in the family of God is an act of healing. It may be painful, but sometimes pain is the price of cleansing of a wound. This is why Christians must resist and reject the rationalization of sin—so that through the disciplinary action, the unrepentant sinner might come to his senses and “be saved on the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). So we must also be prepared to do the hard work of bringing men and women into repentance and restoration by the power of God. And we must be ready to receive our own calls to repentance and restoration with humility and thankfulness.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work of discipline in my life to lead me closer to You, as a disciple of Jesus. I recognize that it will at times be painful, so I ask that You strengthen me in these seasons and lead me to deeper faith in You. May I also be bold to exhort my fellow believers to develop a repentant heart and find healing in Your forgiveness and righteous way. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Hebrews 12:13).

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