The Discipline of Faith

A Living Faith
What is Faith?
Faith Empowers Endurance

Hebrews 12:1-11

The Message

Discipline Strengthens Endurance

12 ^1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

^4-11 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,
    but don’t be crushed by it either.
It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;
    the child he embraces, he also corrects.

God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God

For Reflection

Sometimes we think of discipline as punishments for unwanted behavior.  Such action is usually a result of threats or promises made on the condition of either performing well or performing poorly.

But discipline can also be interpreted as training, or a field of study, or self-control, or a methodical system to which one adheres in order to accomplish. Certainly, discipline is connected to rewards, but, the rewards do not always have to be external.  The reward for a disciplined faith can be God's favor, of course.  However, the intrinsic rewards are equally relevant and more immediate.

Ask yourself, "Why do people who never win (and possibly, may have no potential for winning) compete?"  The act of competing itself seems to be a satisfying reward.  Striving and accomplishing personal bests is enough, as is just the pure joy of participation.

It seems that is the way of faith.  Participating with God in your faith journey. Participating in the joy of righteousness. Participating in the discovery of God's wisdom. Participating In the fellowship of the faithful. Participating in the comforting presence of the Spirit.  Participating in the grace of our Lord.  

Participating is its own reward!

Pray

that you will participate in God's plan for you.  Pray that you will go forth in joy, knowing the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the confidence found in the study of Scripture, and the trust that only a right relationship with God can bring.