“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”
Hebrews 12:1-11 NLT
In particular, this passage would seem to be difficult for the current generation to unpack, and most helpful for it. Whereas the scripture takes it as common sense that a good father admonishes his child, modernity has left this virtue to the wayside. It has, instead, replaced it with allyship and a timid affirmation of lust, appetite, or dalliance. The direct result of this is children who have never felt more abandoned, alone or resentful. This is certainly the opposite of a peaceful harvest of right living. It is important for us to remember what discipline is. It is direction back to a path. If we understand and trust that this path is good, because it is based on the character and love of one who is good, than this discipline is healthy. It is right for us. The lie is that we can escape pain on any path. Discipline is a promise to use that pain to our benefit. And it is not without empathy. This is precisely why Hebrews gives us its hall of faith. It is important for us to look to those whose pain turned to glory and to walk in their footsteps. This paradigm shift may be one of the most difficult mindsets for the modern generation to achieve. It starts with understanding the value of discipline from one who loves us.
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