26 Spiritual Discipline

After having discussed the believer’s need to run the race of faith, the author then began speaking about the “outworking” of faith, which would mean the need for spiritual discipline.

1 Considering Jesus

Hebrews 12:3-4

Whereas previously the author had instructed his audience to “look to Jesus” now he shows how we must “consider Him”.

It presents the idea of “regarding “and “carefully thinking” about the Lord.

With that perspective, it shows how there must be a great level of commitment in maintaining a relationship with the Lord.

One of the reasons the author suggested we’re to “consider” Christ is because of how He endured great hostilities during His earthly ministry. We should see His attitude and endurance as an example for the times when we will endure difficulties and hardships. When we do, our perspective concerning our difficulties will undoubtedly change.

When the believer fails to focus on Christ, then we become vulnerable to becoming “weary and discouraged in our souls.”

Jesus not only became a man, but lived a common lifestyle, so that He might experience the same hardship and difficulties as did the average person of His day.

When Jesus came to earth, He didn’t live separated from average people, but lived among them so that He might serve them.

In verse 4, the author addressed the current situation facing believers, as they had not resisted the Roman persecution which the church was undergoing:

Hebrews 12:4

These Hebrew believers were experiencing persecution from both the Romans and Jewish leadership; therefore, they were greatly discouraged.

2 Chastening from the Lord

The author began speaking of how the Lord must discipline His children if their lifestyles are in rebellion to Him:

Hebrews 12:5-11

In verse 5, the author focused on the believers of his day who were discouraged due to the persecutions they were facing.

These believers had begun to doubt how the Lord was allowing their sufferings.

That same attitude is also found among believers who also question how and why God would allow difficulties in their lives.

In both instances, it pictures someone who has forgotten that God is in control, even during our trials and most difficult times.

Therefore, they had forgotten that:

• The Lord allows all things in His children’s lives, even difficulties.

We must always remember that good and bad times effect everyone:

Matthew 5:45

He will however use difficult circumstances to disciple is children, whenever we sin and fail to repent.

While He will chasten (discipline) us, we should not confuse this with punishment, since He reserves judgment and punishment for unbelievers, and not His children.

The Bible is clear that the Lord chastens those whom He loves (His children):

Proverbs 3:11-12

Therefore, rather than viewing God’s chastening as a sign of rejection, it should be seen as His acceptance and love for us as one of His children.

That thought is carried over in verses 7 and 8.

Since our earthly parents have the right to discipline us, our Heavenly Father certainly should.

In natural families, children often feel unloved if they never receive an correction from their parents.

However, our Heavenly Father always does what is right, and best for His children, therefore even when He chastens, He never does so in anger. However, His desire is to draw us closer to Him, and to restore us into a right relationship with Him.

In verse 9-11, the author shows that as God’s children, we are to be subject to His perfectly planned chastening.

Even though discipline may be difficult and even painful, chastening from the Lord will lead to righteousness, as it will bring about the change God intends for His child.

That point is made clear at the end of verse 11, where it speaks of “to those who have been trained by it.”

Because we all have free will, we must make certain to submit to the Lord’s will.

3 Strengthen Our Spiritual Life

Based upon the difficulties the believers had encountered, the author then offered them encouragement:

Hebrews 12:12-17

Their state of despair was so telling that it had begun to have an effect upon them physically.

He encouraged them to walk straight, which not only referred to what been a “stooped” posture, but in the original Greek, it speaks of walking the “right” way, which means being led by God’s Word:

Psalms 119:105

Then, in verse 14, the author instructed the believers to “pursue peace with all people.”

While we cannot always accomplish that peace, it should be our objective:

Romans 12:18

Next, the author spoke of how we’re to live in holiness, as he states without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Living in holiness, speaks of the need to walk circumspectly.

Those who fail to walk in holiness, are at risk of falling short of God’s grace. And when that happens, we are the liable to have bitterness develop in our lives.

The author then used Jacob’s twin brother Esau as an example of a bitter person. However, he also referred to him a “profane person”.

He described him in that manner, because Esau despised his birthright, thinking so little of it (and the spiritual significance) that he sold it to Jacob for a simple meal.

While Esau later regretted what he has done, there’s no evidence that he ever repented.